ASPHODELACEAE (XANTHORRHOEACEAE)
NB. The family name Asphodelaceae is a conserved name over Xanthorrhoeaceae. Members of this family have formerly been placed in different families. The former family names are reflected in the names of the subfamilies: Asphodeloideae, Xanthorrhoeoideae, Hemerocallidoideae.
The description needs to be updated to include the former Xanthorrhoeaceae
Morphological description
Herbs, Shrubs, climbers or (unbranched) trees, woody, but usually short stem.
Leaves
Leaves linear, crowded. Venation parallel.
Inflorescence
Inflorescence terminal, branched panicles, spikes or racemes.
Flowers
Flowers bisexual, both actinomprophic and zygomorphic flowers occur; tepals 6, free, but sometimes lightly connate at the base; 6 stamens, free or sometimes fused basally at the petals; ovary superior or semi-inferior; 1-3-locular.
Fruit
Fruit a berry, nutlet or capsule.
Seed
Seed black.
Different from: Not readily distinguishable from Agavaceae.
Distribution: The family is widespread.
Notes: Xanthorrhoea* is locally cultivated as an ornamental. Some other popular ornamentals are Aloe (also medicinal use), Asphodeline, Dianella, Hemerocallis (eaten in Asia), Phormium tenax (new Zealand phlax).
Literature: P. F. Stevens, J. Arnold Arbor. 59 (1978) 129-155; D. J. Bedford et al., Fl. Austral. 46 (1986) 88-171. Chase, MW, JL Reveal & MF Fay. 2009. A subfamilial classification for the expanded asparagalean families Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 161: 132–136. Jessop, JP. 1979. Liliaceae. Flora Malesiana, Series 1 9: 189-235
Spot characters (Van Balgooy): Schopfbäume: Xanthorrhoea* - Climbers without hooks or tendrils: Geitoplesium – Prleptic shoots: Geitoplesium – Reisnous exudate: Xanthorrhoea* - Basifixed anthers with apical pores or short slits: Dianella – Blue fruits/seeds: Dianella.
Illustrations:
Image in PhytoImages for Asphodelaceae