Biebersteiniaceae

Abstract

Perennial herbs with woody, occasionally tuberous rhizomes. Leaves alternate, pinnate or pinnatisect, with the (pseudo-?)stipules adnate to the petiole. Inflorescences pedunculate panicles or spikes; pedicels with prophylls. Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual, 5-merous; sepals distinct, imbricate; petals distinct, imbricate, sometimes contorted, often denticulate at the apex, sometimes unguiculate, alternate with 5 fleshy extrastaminal nectary glands; stamens 10; filaments shortly connate; anthers tetrasporangiate, dorsifixed, opening longitudinally, introrse; gynoecium 5-carpellate; ovary superior, on short gynophore, deeply 5-lobed; ovules 1 per loculus, pendulous; stylodia arising from the base of the ovarioles, filiform, connected above into a capitate stigma. Fruit a schizocarp, dehiscing into 5 indehiscent 1-seeded, dry, rugose, crustaceous nutlets. Seeds large, rugulose, with a rounded raphe; endosperm scanty; embryo slightly curved; cotyledons foliaceous. n = 5.