Flora of North America species comparison

photosynthetic, erect, spreading or climbing, branched;

cladophylls solitary or fasciculate, in nodes of reduced, scarious leaves.

to 4 m, wiry, smooth, branches planate;

cladophylls in fascicles of (5–)8–20 per node, filiform, 4–10 × 0.5 mm, ± rigid, with single vein.

small, scale-like, membranous, or sometimes spiny with hardened base, subtending cladophylls.

membranous, 1–2 mm;

blade forming short spine with reflexed apex, base hardened.

axillary or terminal, racemose, or umbellate, paired or solitary;

racemes short.

terminally umbellate, 1–4-flowered.

bisexual or unisexual;

perianth greenish, white, or yellowish, campanulate to rotate;

tepals 6, distinct or shortly connate basally, equal;

stamens 6, distinct, equal;

anthers versatile, 2-locular, dehiscence introrse;

ovary superior, 3-locular, septal nectaries present;

style 3-branched distally;

pedicel with conspicuous joint.

bisexual, nodding;

perianth spreading, campanulate;

tepals white, 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm;

pedicel 1–3 mm, jointed at or just above base.

baccate, red or purplish black, globose, often with tepals persisting at base.

purplish black, 4–5 mm.

1–6, black, globose to angular.

1–3.

, woody, scrambling or climbing to 5 m;

roots fibrous.

= 10.

= 20.