Plant Sex: Flowers bisexual or unisexual (polygamous and dioecious).
Flowers: Actinomorphic. Tepals in two series (undifferentiated perianth) sometimes connate and adnate to stamens forming a short hypathium. Stamens in several series; may be staminodial. Anther dehiscence by FLAPS or VALVES.
Inflorescence: Various; axillary, cymes, and racemes.
Fruits: Drupes.
Habit: Mostly trees, shrubs, often aromatic owing to the presence of ethereal oils. One genus (Cassytha) a parasitic vine.
Leaves: When present, simple, alternate, entire (or lobed in Sassafras), usually without stipules.
Examples:
Sassafras albidum (sassafras)
Lindera benzoin (spicebush)
Cassytha filiformis (love vine)
Persea americana (avocado)
Laurus nobilis (bay)
Cinnamomum cassia and C. zeylanicum (cinnamon)
Litsea gracilis
Lauraceae, Fig. 9.9 from Judd et al. (2008)
- SIUC / College of Science / Elements of Plant Systematics
- URL: http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/PLB304/Lecture12Magnol/Lauraceae.html
- Last updated: 15-Feb-09 / dln
