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Taxonomy

Genera

Abies

Trees evergreen, crown usually spirelike to conic, sometimes flat to round topped in age. Bark initially thin, smooth, bearing resin blisters, in age furrowed and/or flaking in plates. Branches whorled, irregular internodal branches occasionally produced by epicormic sprouting (growing from a dormant bud) ; short (spur) shoots absent; leaf scars prominent, ± circular to broadly elliptic, flush with twig surface, slightly depressed, or slightly raised evenly all around. Buds ovate or oblong, resinous or not, apex rounded or pointed. Leaves borne singly, persisting 5 or more years, spirally arranged but often proximally twisted so as to appear either 1-ranked (pointing up like toothbrush bristles) or 2-ranked, sessile, typically constricted and often twisted above the somewhat broadened base, sheath absent; leaves on vegetative branches flattened, frequently grooved adaxially, usually notched to rounded at apex; leaves on fertile branches sometimes appearing 4-sided, upright, sharp-pointed to rounded at apex; resin canals 2. Cones borne on year-old twigs. Pollen cones grouped, ovate or oblong-cylindric, leaving gall-like protuberances after falling, yellow to red, green, blue, or purple. Seed cones maturing in 1 season, erect, ovoid to oblong-cylindric or cylindric, not falling whole but scale by scale, cone axis persisting as an erect "spike" on branch; scales shed individually, fan-shaped, lacking apophysis and umbo; bracts included to exserted. Seeds winged, the wing-seed juncture bearing resin sac; cotyledons 4--10. x =12.^[1] [more]

At least 517 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Abies.

More info about the Genus Abies may be found here.

Allium

Herbs, perennial, scapose, from tunicate bulbs, with onion odor and taste. Bulbs solitary or clustered, dividing at base, or on rhizomes, reforming annually; outer coats generally brown or gray, smooth, fibrous, or with cellular reticulation (generally important in identification) ; inner coats membranous. Leaves generally withering from tip by anthesis, usually persistent, 1-12, basal; blade usually linear, terete, channeled, or flat (carinate in A. sativum, A. praecox, A. tuberosum, A. rotundum, A. neapolitanum, A. triquetrum, A. unifolium, and A. lacunosum), straight or ± falcate (coiled or circinate in A. nevadense and A. atrorubens), broader in A. victorialis and A. tricoccum, not petiolate (except in A. tricoccum and A. victorialis) . Scape usually persistent, terete or flattened. Inflorescences umbellate, flowering centripetally (centrifugally in A. schoenoprasum), sometimes replaced totally or partially by bulbils, subtended by spathe bracts; bracts conspicuous, ± fused, usually 3+-veined, equaling pedicel except in some introduced species, membranous. Flowers erect (pendent in A. triquetrum) ; tepals 6, in 2 similar whorls, ± distinct, petallike, usually becoming becoming dry and persisting; stamens 6, epipetalous; filaments in all but 1 native species broad at base, fused into ring (some introduced species and A. victorialis appendaged), linear, generally glabrous (A. rotundum and A. hoffmanii papillose to ciliate proximally) ; anthers and pollen variously colored; ovary superior, 3-lobed, sometimes crested with processes, 3-locular, usually 2 ovules per locule (6-8 in A. nigrum), crest processes 3 or 6, smooth except in A. haematochiton, A. sharsmithiae, and A. lacunosum; style 1; stigma capitate to ± 3-lobed; pedicel erect or spreading (lax in A. triquetrum) . Fruits capsular, dehiscence loculicidal. Seeds black, obovoid, finely cellular-reticulate, cells smooth or minutely roughened, with 1-8 papillae, without caruncle except in A. triquetrum. x = 7, 8, 9.^[2] [more]

At least 2,758 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Allium.

More info about the Genus Allium may be found here.

Amelanchier

Shrubs or trees, deciduous; buds conspicuous, narrowly conical, with several scales. Leaves simple, petiolate, stipulate, venation camptodromous, margin entire or serrate. Racemes terminal; bracts caducous. Hypanthium campanulate. Sepals 5, margin entire. Petals 5, white, oblong or lanceolate, slender. Stamens 10-20. Ovary inferior or semi-inferior, 2-5-loculed, with 2 ovules per locule, separated by a false partition from back of locule; styles 2-5, partly connate or free. Fruit a small berrylike pome, bluish black to dark purple, usually juicy and sweet, incompletely 4-10-loculed, with one seed in each locule, crowned by persistent, usually recurved sepals.^[3] [more]

At least 249 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Amelanchier.

More info about the Genus Amelanchier may be found here.

Anemonella

Thalictrum thalictroides, the rue anemone, is a plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. [more]

At least 28 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Anemonella.

More info about the Genus Anemonella may be found here.

Anthemis

Annuals (biennials) [perennials, subshrubs], mostly 5-90 cm (often aromatic). Stems 1-5+, erect to decumbent, usually branched, strigillose or strigoso-sericeous to villous (hairs medifixed), glabrescent [glabrous or sericeous to lanate]. Leaves mostly cauline; alternate; petiolate or sessile; blades ± obovate to spatulate, 1-3-pinnately lobed, ultimate margins dentate to lobed, faces glabrous or strigillose to villous [glabrous or sericeous to lanate]. Heads radiate [discoid], borne singly or in lax, corymbiform arrays (peduncles sometimes clavate and/or curved in fruit). Involucres obconic to hemispheric or broader, 5-13[-20] mm diam. Phyllaries persistent, mostly 21-35+ in 3-5 series, distinct, deltate to lanceolate, oblong, or elliptic, unequal, margins and apices (hyaline and colorless or brownish [black]) scarious. Receptacles hemispheric to narrowly conic, paleate (wholly or only distally) ; paleae ± flat, scarious to indurate (subulate or elliptic to obovate with mucronate to acuminate-spinose tips). Ray florets [0 or 2-]5-20[-30+], pistillate and fertile or styliferous and sterile; corollas usually white, rarely yellow or pink, laminae mostly oblong (tubes sometimes hairy). Disc florets (60-) 100-300+, bisexual, fertile; corollas usually yellow, rarely pink, tubes ± cylindric (usually proximally dilated, ± spongy in fruit, sometimes hairy, not saccate), throats funnelform, lobes 5, ± triangular (abaxially minutely crested). Cypselae obovoid to obconic or turbinate (circular or 4-angled in cross section), ribs usually 9-10 (0) and smooth or tuberculate, faces glabrous (pericarps with myxogenic cells) ; pappi 0 or coroniform. x = 9.^[4] [more]

At least 794 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Anthemis.

More info about the Genus Anthemis may be found here.

Arabis

Herbs annual, biennial, or perennial, rarely subshrubs or shrubs. Trichomes stellate, dendritic, or stalked forked, sometimes mixed with fewer simple ones, rarely primarily simple. Stems simple or branched apically. Basal leaves petiolate, rosulate, simple, often entire, sometimes dentate, rarely lyrate-pinnatifid. Cauline leaves sessile and auriculate, sagittate, or amplexicaul, very rarely petiolate, entire or dentate. Racemes ebracteate or rarely bracteate throughout or only basally, sometimes in panicles, elongated in fruit. Fruiting pedicels erect, ascending, divaricate, or reflexed. Sepals ovate or oblong, base of lateral pair saccate or not, margin membranous. Petals white, pink, or purple; blade spatulate, oblong, or oblanceolate, rarely obovate, apex obtuse or emarginate; claw shorter than sepals. Stamens 6, tetradynamous; filaments usually not dilated at base; anthers ovate, oblong, or linear, obtuse at apex. Nectar glands confluent, subtending bases of all stamens; median glands sometimes toothlike and free, rarely absent; lateral glands semiannular or annular. Ovules 12-110 per ovary. Fruit dehiscent siliques, linear, latiseptate, sessile or rarely shortly stipitate; valves papery, with an obscure or prominent midvein, smooth or torulose; replum rounded; septum complete, membranous, translucent, veinless; style obsolete or distinct; stigma capitate, entire or slightly 2-lobed. Seeds uniseriate or biseriate, winged or margined, oblong or orbicular, flattened; seed coat smooth or minutely reticulate, not mucilaginous when wetted; cotyledons accumbent.^[5] [more]

At least 1,052 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Arabis.

More info about the Genus Arabis may be found here.

Armoracia

Herbs perennial with rootstocks. Trichomes absent. Stems erect, branched above. Basal leaves long petiolate, rosulate, simple, entire or crenate. Cauline leaves petiolate or uppermost sessile, crenate, laciniate, pinnatifid, or pinnatiscent. Racemes many flowered, ebracteate, often in corymbose panicles, elongated considerably in fruit. Fruiting pedicels slender, ascending, divaricate, or slightly reflexed. Sepals ovate or oblong, spreading or ascending, glabrous, base of lateral pair not saccate. Petals white, ascending, longer than sepals; blade obovate, spatulate, oblong, or oblanceolate, apex obtuse; claw short. Stamens 6, somewhat spreading, slightly tetradynamous; filaments slightly dilated at base; anthers ovate, oblong, or linear, obtuse at apex. Nectar glands confluent and subtending bases of all stamens; median glands present. Ovules 8-20 per ovary. Fruit dehiscent silicles, oblong, ovate, elliptic, or orbicular, angustiseptate, sessile; valves veinless, glabrous, smooth; replum rounded; septum perforated or reduced to a rim; style obsolete or short and to 2 mm; stigma capitate, entire or 2-lobed. Seeds biseriate, wingless, oblong, plump; seed coat punctate, not mucilaginous when wetted; cotyledons accumbent.^[6] [more]

At least 17 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Armoracia.

More info about the Genus Armoracia may be found here.

Asperula

Asperula (As-pé-ru-la) is a genus of the family Rubiaceae. Sometimes, certain species of Galium (such as the woodruff) are included herein. [more]

At least 341 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Asperula.

More info about the Genus Asperula may be found here.

Aubrieta

Aubrieta is a genus of about 12 species of flowering plants in the cabbage family Brassicaceae. The genus is named after Claude Aubriet, a French flower-painter. It originates from southern Europe east to central Asia but is now a common garden escape throughout Europe. It is a low, spreading plant, hardy, evergreen and perennial, with small violet, pink or white flowers, and inhabits rocks and banks. It prefers light, well-drained soil, is tolerant of a wide pH range, and can grow in partial shade or full sun. [more]

At least 207 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Aubrieta.

More info about the Genus Aubrieta may be found here.

Aucuba

Trees or shrubs, 1 10 m tall; branches with conspicuous leaf scars, often pubescent when young, glabrous when old. Leaf blade usually green or sometimes variegated with yellow, yellowish, or white spots, variable, from lanceolate to obcordate, pubescent or glabrous, veins raised abaxially, often impressed adaxially, lateral veins usually connected before reaching margin, extending to apex of marginal teeth, margin serrate, glandular serrate, or dentate, rarely entire. Staminate inflorescences (2 ) 7 15 cm, paniculate or racemose-paniculate, pyramidal, or cylindrical. Carpellate inflorescences panicles, shorter, 1 5 cm. Flowers: calyx lobes minute, triangular or slightly orbicular; petals free, valvate, purplish red, yellow, or green, oblong or ovate, apex acuminate or caudate. Staminate flowers: filaments awl-shaped; anthers dorsifixed, rarely versatile, locules 2, rarely locule 1, dehiscing by longitudinal slits; floral disk fleshy, slightly 4-lobed. Carpellate flowers; sepals and petals articulate at base of ovary, subtended by 1 or 2 bracteoles. Fruit cylindrical or ovoid. 2n = 16, 32.^[7] [more]

At least 80 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Aucuba.

More info about the Genus Aucuba may be found here.

Aulax

At least 5 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Aulax.

More info about the Genus Aulax may be found here.

Aurinia

Aurinia is a genus of flowering plant of the family Brassicaceae. [more]

At least 56 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Aurinia.

More info about the Genus Aurinia may be found here.

Austrocedrus

Austrocedrus is a genus of conifer belonging to the cypress family Cupressaceae. It has only one species, Austrocedrus chilensis, native to the Valdivian temperate rain forests and the adjacent drier steppe-forests of central-southern Chile and western Argentina from 33°S to 44°S latitude. It is known in its native area as Ciprés de la Cordillera or Cordilleran Cypress, and elsewhere by the scientific name as Austrocedrus, or sometimes as Chilean Incense-cedar or Chilean Cedar. The generic name means "southern cedar". [more]

At least 3 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Austrocedrus.

More info about the Genus Austrocedrus may be found here.

Avena

Annuals. Culms erect, fairly robust. Leaf blades linear, flat; ligule membranous. Inflorescence a large loose panicle. Spikelets large, pendulous, oblong to gaping, florets 2 to several, the uppermost reduced; rachilla pilose or glabrous, disarticulating below each floret or only below the lowest, or not disarticulating (cultivated species) ; glumes lanceolate to elliptic, usually subequal and as long as spikelet, rarely strongly unequal or shorter than spikelet, herbaceous to membranous, 7-11-veined, back rounded, smooth, apex acuminate; floret callus acute to pungent, bearded; lemmas lanceolate-oblong, usually leathery, occasionally papery, back rounded, 5-9-veined, glabrous to hispid, awned usually from near middle of back, apex papery, 2-toothed to 2-fid, lobes sometimes extended into fine bristles, awn geniculate with twisted column, sometimes reduced or absent (cultivated species) ; palea usually shorter than lemma, keels ciliate. Ovary densely hairy. Caryopsis with long linear hilum.^[8] [more]

At least 589 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Avena.

More info about the Genus Avena may be found here.

Azara

At least 55 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Azara.

More info about the Genus Azara may be found here.

Azilia

Azilia eryngioides is a species of flowering plant in the Apiaceae, the only member of the genus Azilia. It is endemic to Iran. [more]

At least 16 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Azilia.

More info about the Genus Azilia may be found here.

Azolla

Roots 3--5 cm. Stems prostrate, 1--3 cm, or nearly erect, 3--5 cm, hairs absent. Leaves with 1(--2) -celled hairs on upper surface of upper lobe. Sporocarps in pairs. Megasporocarp megaspore with 3 floats. Microsporocarp masses entirely covered with arrowlike barbs. x = 22.^[9] [more]

At least 69 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Azolla.

More info about the Genus Azolla may be found here.

Azureocereus

Browningia is a genus of cacti, comprising 11 known species. [more]

At least 4 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Azureocereus.

More info about the Genus Azureocereus may be found here.

Banksia

Banksia is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae. Iconic Australian wildflower and popular garden plants, they are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes and fruiting "cones" and can vary from prostrate woody shrubs to trees up to 30 metres tall. They are generally found in a wide variety of landscapes; sclerophyll forest, (occasionally) rainforest, shrubland, and some more arid landscapes, though not in Australia's deserts. [more]

At least 486 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Banksia.

More info about the Genus Banksia may be found here.

Barbarea

Barbarea (Bar-ba-ré-a, Winter cress or Yellow rocket) is a genus of about 22 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the highest species diversity in southern Europe and southwest Asia. [more]

At least 127 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Barbarea.

More info about the Genus Barbarea may be found here.

Billardiera

Billardiera is a genus of small vines and shrubs which is endemic to Australia. The genus was first formally described in 1793 by botanist James Edward Smith who named it in honour of Jacques Labillardière, a French botanist. [more]

At least 89 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Billardiera.

More info about the Genus Billardiera may be found here.

Buxus

Profusely branched shrubs or dwarf trees. Leaves opposite, sessile or subsessile, entire, glabrous or hairy. Inflorescence pedunculate or sessile, of dense racemose clusters, often with a terminal female flower surrounded by several male flowers. Flowers greenish-yellow, unisexual (plants monoecious), sessile to shortly pedicellate. Sepals 4-6, unequal. Stamens 4, free, inserted on receptacle around vestigial ovary, anthers oblong with thick connective, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary tricarpellary, syncarpous, 3-loculed, each locule 2-ovuled; styles 3, rarely basally connate, spreading, short, stigma 2-lobed. Capsule coriaceous, ovoid, 3-beaked with persistent styles, dehiscing into 3, 2-seeded and 2-horned valves. Seed caruncled, somewhat triangular or oblong, glossy-black; embryo with oblong cotyledons.^[10] [more]

At least 398 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Buxus.

More info about the Genus Buxus may be found here.

Canna

Herbs, rhizomatous, 1--2[--5] m, forming small to large monotypic stands. Leaves green [bronze or magenta in hybrids and cultivars], often glaucous [lanuginose]; blade narrowly ovate to narrowly elliptic, 20--70 cm ´ 15--30 cm,