CAPRIFOLIACEAE
NB This family is since APG IV enlarged with among others the families Dipsaceae and Valerianaceae. This descriiptoipn reflects Caprifoliaceae s.s. and needs and update. The Viburnaceae (Adoxaceae) are forming a separate family, although they were formerly included. Viburnaceae are exluded from this plant portrait.
Morphological description
Usually woody, stems and twigs with thick pith. Sometimes climber, flower zygomorphic, in pairs (Lonicera).
Leaves
Leaves decussate, usually simple, dentate, penninerved; exstipulate.
Inflorescence
Inflorescence cymose.
Flowers
Flower sympetalous; 5-merous, ovary inferior, 2-5-locular, with 1 ovule per cell stamens 5. Sometimes flowers 4-merous. Sometimes flower zygomorphic, in pairs (Lonicera).
Fruits
Fruit fleshy (drupe or berry).
Different from: Rubiaceae: interpetiolar stipules, raphides, leaves never dentate. — Valerianaceae: herbaceous, stamens 3.
Distribution: The family world-wide, especially northern hemisphere. In Malesia 4 genera, incl.: - Lonicera (mainly northern hemisphere), montane forest.
Notes: Many species cultivated as ornamentals.
Literature: J.H. Kern & C.G.G.J. van Steenis, Fl. Males. I, 4 (1951) 175-194.
Spot characters (Van Balgooy): Caprifoliaceae leaf with domatia (p.p.), leaf margin dentate/ serrate (p.p.), ovary inferior, Lonicera climbers without hooks/tendrils, climbers with opposite leaves, serial buds, glands on petiole or lamina, leaves bullate (p.p.).
Illustrations:
Images in PhytoImages for Caprifoliaceae