Shrubs [or trees], sometimes clambering, armed with stipular spines; bud scales present. Leaves deciduous [persistent], alternate; blade not gland-dotted; 3-veined from base (acrodromous), secondary veins distal to basal veins well developed. Inflorescences axillary, cymes; peduncles and pedicels not fleshy in fruit. Pedicels present. Flowers bisexual; hypanthium hemispheric to patelliform, 2–3 mm wide; sepals 5, spreading, pale yellow, deltate, keeled adaxially; petals 5, white, hooded, obovate, clawed; nectary fleshy, filling hypanthium, margin entire or 5-angled; stamens 5; ovary 1/2-inferior, 2–3-locular; styles 2–3, connate proximally. Fruits samaras. x = 12.

Distribution

Tex., Europe, e Asia.

Discussion

Species 5 (1 in the flora).

The fruit of Paliurus was described by C. Schirarend and M. N. Olabi (1994) as a dry, indehiscent drupe. The gynoecium base in Paliurus begins to swell laterally following fertilization, forming a persistent, disciform, cupulate, or hemispheric wing of varying thickness (D. O. Burge and S. R. Manchester 2008). This enlarged and winglike receptacle is diagnostic of the genus.

Selected References

Burge, D. O. and S. R. Manchester. 2008. Fruit morphology, fossil history, and biogeography of Paliurus (Rhamnaceae). Int. J. Pl. Sci. 169: 1066–1085.

Schirarend, C. and M. N. Olabi. 1994. Revision of the genus Paliurus Tourn. ex Mill. (Rhamnaceae). Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 116: 333–359.

Lower Taxa

Paliurus spina-christi