Datiscaceae

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Cucurbitales
Datisca cannabina
Datisca cannabina
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Datiscaceae
Genera
  • Datisca

Datiscaceae are a family of Dicotyledonous plants, containing two species of the genus Datisca. Two other genera, Octomeles and Tetrameles are now classified in the Tetramelaceae family.

Datiscaceae are slim herbaceous plants, with alternate and pennate leaves.

[edit] Species

The genus Datisca contains two species; one from Asia and one from North America.[1]

The species Datisca cannabina is found from Crete and Turkey all the way to the Himalayas (as far east as Nepal). It grows to about two meters tall and in May to August it produces small yellow flowers. It is grown for ornamental foliage and can produce a laxative or a yellow dye.[2][3] It looks like hemp.[4]

The north american species Datisca glomerata is native to California and Nevada.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Willis Linn Jepson (1936). A Flora of California: Volume II Capparidaceae to Cornacea, 537. 
  2. ^ Datisca cannabina L.. Nepal Checklist. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
  3. ^ Datisca cannabina. Flora of Pakistan. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
  4. ^ Datisca cannabina (plant). Encyclopædia Britannica online. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
  5. ^ Datisca glomerata (K. Presl) Baill. (Durango root). PLANTS. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.

[edit] External links

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