Berberidaceae.
According to Plants of the World Online (Kew) there are 13 genera with 769 species.
Other treatments have had 15 or 18 genera with around 650 to 700 species.
At one time there were only 4 genera with the others having their own family.
Almost all are woody perennial shrubs up to around 10 m high.
There are a few small trees and herbs.
The evergreen or deciduous plants typically have erect unbranched stems.
Stems may have spines and the roots may have tubers or rhizomes.
There may be hairs on some parts.
Leaves are mostly alternately arranged in a spiral or come from near the base of the stem (radical).
Leaves may be reduced to spines.
The base of the petiole is swollen and there is sometimes a stipule at the base.
The blades may be simple or divided one to three times (pinnate, bi- or tri-pinnate).
Leaflets are on a short petiolule with a swollen base.
Blades, and leaflets can be elliptic, round, obovate or oblanceolate.
The tips are mostly pointed and the edge can be smooth or have short spines.
Pores (stomata) are common and the lower surface may be powdery.
Terminal or axillary inflorescences can be a solitary flower, a pair or a spike (raceme or cyme).
Some are umbel-like with all the flowers attached near near the tip of the peduncle.
Any of these may be branched (panicles).
Bracts and/or bracteoles may be present and persist or fall.
Some may be nectiferous.
Flowers, with or without a pedicel are usually under 1 cm across.
There may be discrete sepals and petals or they may all be similar and petal-like.
There can be up to 9 whorls with over 50 parts.
Often there are 6 sepals and 6 petals with both lots in 2 whorls.
All parts may persist or fall early.
Petals may be represented by nectaries.
Stamens are equal in number to the petals and lie opposite them.
Basifixed anthers may be directly attached or on a very short to long filament.
The 2 anther sacs (thecae) open inwards through long or short slits.
They may have an appendage.
The superior ovary has 1 locule with 1 to numerous ovules.
The top tapers to a very short or longer style with a large stigma.
The fruit can be a berry, a capsule, follicle or a utricle.
J.F.
