Herbs or subshrubs, perennial, synoecious. Rhizomes somewhat woody, white to beige or blue (then drying blackish), cortex corky or papery, loose exfoliating. Leaves: petiole short or absent. Inflorescences terminal, paniclelike or corymblike thyrses; cymules 3–5-flowered; prophyllar bracteole subtending each flower persistent. Pedicels present. Flowers bisexual, campanulate; hypanthium adnate to ovary proximally, free distally, funnel-shaped; petals (4–)5(–7), white, yellowing with age, ovate or oblong to lanceolate, reflexed upon maturation; nectary lining hypanthium, lobes small, alternating with filaments; styles filiform; stigmas capitate. Pseudodrupes usually multiple, petals persistent, forming neck at apex; exocarp leathery.

Distribution

North America, n Mexico, s Europe (Balkan peninsula), temperate regions.

Discussion

Species 1.

Circumscription of species within Comandra has varied, as have opinions about whether Geocaulon is distinct. C. L. Hitchcock and A. Cronquist (1973) considered Geocaulon as a species of Comandra, whereas M. L. Fernald (1950) recognized separate genera. The treatment here follows the most comprehensive study of Comandra to date (M. A. Piehl 1965), which recognized a single variable species with four subspecies.

Selected References

Piehl, M. A. 1965. The natural history and taxonomy of Comandra (Santalaceae). Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 22(1): 1–97.

Lower Taxa

Comandra umbellata