Flora of North America species comparison

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.

photosynthetic, erect, spreading or climbing, branched;

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

membranous, 1–2 mm;

blade forming short spine with reflexed apex, base hardened.

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

terminally umbellate, 1–4-flowered.

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

racemes short.

bisexual, nodding;

perianth spreading, campanulate;

tepals white, 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm;

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

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.

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

purplish black, 4–5 mm.

1–3.

1–6, black, globose to angular.

, woody, scrambling or climbing to 5 m;

roots fibrous.

= 10.

= 20.