| Datisca | |
|---|---|
| Datisca cannabina | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Datiscaceae |
| Genus: | 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.
They are actinorhizal plants, that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots, and are the only ones that are not a tree or shrub, although there are non-actinorrhizal plants that also fix nitrogen, like legumes.
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]