LYTHRACEAE

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 300

CXIX. LYTHRACEAE 2

Herbs (non-European genera include trees and shrubs). Leaves simple, entire; stipules minute or absent. Flowers hermaphrodite, regular, perigynous, 4- to 6-merous, solitary or in small cymes or clusters in the leaf-axils, rarely in terminal spikes. Hypanthium pelviform to cylindrical. Epicalyx often present. Petals free, pink or purple, inserted on lip of hypanthium; sometimes 0. Stamens 2-12, inserted on tube of hypanthium. Ovary superior, 2- or 4-locular; style single; stigma capitate. Fruit a capsule; seeds numerous.

In many Floras what is here called the hypanthium is referred to as the calyx, and the sepals and epicalyx-segments are referred to respectively as inner and outer calyx-teeth.

Literature: E. Koehne in Engler, Pflanzenreich 17 (IV. 216):

1 -326 (1903).

1 Flowers solitary or in pairs in the leaf-axils 2 Epicalyx present 1. Lythrum

2 Epicalyx absent 3. Rotala 1 Flowers, at least in lower part of plant, in cymes or clusters of

3 or more in each leaf-axil 3 Petals 6-12 mm, conspicuous 1. Lythrum 3 Petals,if present,not morethan2-5mm

4 Leaves alternate 1. Lythrum

4 Leaves opposite 2. Ammannia