Shrubs, twining. Leaves remote on long shoots, close on short lateral shoots. Flowers: perianth of 9-12 tepals in 2 series. Staminate flowers: stamens 5, partially or completely connate. Pistillate flowers: ovules 2-3 per locule. Berries on elongate receptacle when mature. x = 14.

Distribution

North America, mainly e Asia.

Discussion

Species 25 (1 in the flora).

The orthographic variant Schizandra, adopted by several authors for Schisandra Michaux, was first used by A. P. de Candolle ([1817]1818-1821, vol. 1, pp. 511, 544) and was perpetuated by subsequent authors. Convincing arguments for retention of the original orthography were presented by A. J. Rehder (1944). Schisandra is conserved over the earlier published name Stellandria.

Selected References

Kapil, R. N. and S. Jalan. 1964. Schisandra Michaux--its embryology and systematic position. Bot. Not. 117: 285-306.

Rehder, A. J. 1944. Schisandra Michaux, nomen genericum conservandum. J. Arnold Arbor. 25: 129-131.

Stone, D. E. 1968. Cytological and morphological notes on the southeastern endemic Schisandra glabra (Schisandraceae). J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 84: 351-356.

Lower Taxa

Schisandra glabra