Grossulariaceae

Grossulariaceae is a family of plants of the order saxifragales consisting of two genera, seven subgenera and about 150 species.

Distribution and habitat

It inhabits the cold and humid regions of the northern hemisphere and South America.

Description

They are deciduous shrubs and thorny or unarmed. Alternate or fasciculated leaves, simple, palmate and lobed, often veined, stipules absent or adnate to the petioles. The flowers appear solitary or in clusters, they are bisexual or unisexual by abortion. Calyx tube attached to ovary, lobes imbricated. Petals free, smaller than the sepals. Stamens as many as the petals and alternating with them. Ovary inferior, unilocular, many ovules in 2 parietal placentas, styles 2, almost united, stigmas undivided. Berry-shaped fruit, surmounted by the persistent calyx.

Taxonomy

The family was described by Augustin Pyrame de Candolle and published in Flore Française. Troisième Édition 4(2): 405. 1805. The type genus is: Grossularia Mill.

Genres

• Grossularia
• Ribes