Kerria japonica
Rosaceae tribe Kerrieae
corête du japon, Japanese- or Easter-rose, Japanese-rose
moderately flexuous.
stipules 1.5–2.5 mm;
petiole channeled, 3–6(–9) mm;
blade bicolored, (2–)3–6(–8.5) × (1–)1.5–3(–3.7) cm, base broadly cuneate to subcordate, proximal margins finely gland-tipped serrulate, ± plicate between impressed veins, apex long-acuminate, hairs 0.3–0.5 mm.
alternate or opposite, simple;
stipules persistent or deciduous, free;
venation pinnate.
5–22 mm, glabrous.
sepal margins entire, scarious, sometimes serrulate or glandular-fimbriate, apex acuminate, surfaces glabrous;
petals (9–)17–25 × (2–)12–15 mm, claws 1–2 mm (innermost in multi-petaled cultivars showing transition toward stamens, 10 × 2–3 mm);
filaments erect-ascending, straight, yellow, slender, 4–5 mm, anthers yellow, 0.2–0.3 mm.
perianth and androecium perigynous;
epicalyx bractlets absent (present in Rhodotypos);
hypanthium flat, shallowly cupped, saucer-shaped, or campanulate;
torus absent, inconspicuous, or a rim or tubelike sheath surrounding carpels;
carpels 2–5(–8) (usually 1 in Coleogyne), distinct, free, styles lateral or subapical (Neviusia), distinct;
ovules 1 or 2, marginal, collateral when 2.
aggregated nutlets or achenes;
styles persistent, not elongate.
4–5 × 3.5–4 mm.
= 18.
Kerria japonica
Rosaceae tribe Kerrieae
Kerria japonica is cultivated in central Europe and North America, particularly in the east, as a shade-tolerant ornamental shrub. The species persists long after cultivation and spreads mostly vegetatively, apparently only rarely spreading by seed. It is expected elsewhere. The cultivar 'Pleniflora' has multiple petals appearing as a yellow-orange rose.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Genera 4, species 5 (4 genera, 5 species in the flora).
The base chromosome number for Kerrieae is x = 8 or 9. C. Kalkman (2004) described the fruits of Kerrieae as drupaceous achenes, with slightly fleshy mesocarp that dry at maturity and woody endocarp. Such fruits might easily be interpreted as nutlets or achenes. The fruit of Coleogyne, unplaced as to tribe in his treatment, have a coriaceous pericarp and can be considered achenes.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Leaves opposite; sepals usually 4; tori surrounding ovary | → 2 |
1. Leaves alternate; sepals usually 5; tori absent or inconspicuous | → 3 |
2. Leaf blades ovate, membranous, margins doubly serrulate; stipules deciduous; epicalyx bractlets slender; petals 4, white; stamens 30–60; tori surrounding and overtopping ovaries, leaving styles free; carpels 4; fruits black, ovoid-globose drupelike nutlets. | Rhodotypos |
2. Leaf blades oblanceolate-spatulate, leathery, margins entire; stipules persistent; epicalyx bractlets absent; petals usually 0; stamens (16–)20–25(–30); tori extending into tubelike sheath surrounding ovary and proximal style; carpels 1 (rarely 2); fruits brown, ovoid-reniform achenes. | Coleogyne |
3. Stems: bark proximally grayish, distally reddish brown; stipules persistent; inflorescences 2–10-flowered, subumbellate corymbs; petals usually 0, rarely 1 or 2, white. | Neviusia |
3. Stems: bark (periderm) not forming, epidermis green; stipules caducous; inflorescences: flowers solitary; petals usually (4 or)5(or 6), strong yellow to slightly orangish or yellow-cream. | Kerria |
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