Family Alstroemeriaceae
Synonyms: Luzuriagaceae APNI*
Description: Erect or twining herbs, rhizomatous.
Leaves alternate, linear to lanceolate, sessile, base narrowed but not sheathing, lamina usually twisted so that the lower side is turned upwards, with numerous longitudinal veins; stipules absent.
Inflorescence axillary or terminal, pedunculate, flowers solitary or few to several in cymes and generally umbel-like. Flowers actinomorphic or slightly zygomorphic, 3-merous, bisexual. Tepals 6 (rarely 8 in Drymophila in 2 whorls, mostly free, ± similar to conspicuously dissimilar. Stamens usually 6; filaments free; anthers introrse, pseudo-basifixed, dehiscing by longitudinal slits. Septal nectaries present. Ovary usually inferior (superior in Drymophila), 3-locular or rarely 1-locular; ovules numerous per loculus; style single; stigma 3-branched.
Fruit a capsule (rarely a berry), generally loculicidal; seeds numerous, arillate.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 4 genera, c. 257 species, southern & C America. Australia: 2 genera, 4 species (naturalized), N.S.W., Qld, Vic., SA, WA, LHI, NI
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Alstroemeriaceae, Order: Liliales)
Wikipedia
Text by G. J. Harden (1993); edited K.L. Wilson (Feb 2017); edited R.L. Barrett (July 2022). Key adapted from VicFlora [accessed 27 Apr. 2023] by Kerry Gibbons.
Taxon concept: APG IV. Distribution and occurrence: Kew Plants of the World Online; Australian Plant Census [both accessed 27 Apr. 2023].
| | Key to the genera | |
| 1 | Flowers actinomorphic; fruit a berry | Drymophila |
| Flowers zygomorphic; fruit a dry capsule | Alstroemeria |
|
