Class
Classification
Subordinate Taxa
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Oxalidaceae
Description
Herbs, usually perennial, often bulbous, occasionally shrubs. Lvs alternate or radical, palmately or, less often, pinnately compound, often 3-foliolate, sometimes 1-foliolate, nyctinastic, generally stipulate, occasionally phyllodinous and lacking lvs with lamina, sometimes with glandular calli (callus deposits). Fls usually in cymes or solitary, sometimes in racemes, 5-merous, actinomorphic, ☿, sometimes distylous or tristylous, sometimes with minute apetalous fls in addition to fls of normal size. Sepals free or united, imbricate, often with apical, ± orange calli. Petals free or shortly connate at base, contorted in bud, rarely imbricate. Stamens usually 10, in 2 whorls, very rarely 15, the outer whorl opposite petals and sometimes connate below, sometimes 5 staminodal. Ovary usually (3)–5-celled, occasionally carpels free. Styles (3)–5, usually free. Placentation axile with 1-many ovules in each cell. Fr. a loculicidal capsule. Seeds often with elastic, sculptured testa; endosperm fleshy, abundant; embryo straight.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Biostatus
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Indigenous (Non-endemic) | 4 |
| Exotic: Fully Naturalised | 12 |
| Exotic: Casual | 7 |
| Total | 23 |
Bibliography
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Cronquist, A. 1988: The evolution and classification of flowering plants. The New York Botanic Gardens, New York.
Kubitzki, K. 2004: VI Flowering Plants. Dicotyledons: Celestrales, Oxalidales, Rosales, Cornales, Ericales. Kubitzki, K. (ed.) The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Spinger-Verlag, Berlin. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
