Flora of North America species comparison

erect, rigidly branched, minutely tomentose.

erect or prostrate.

opposite or whorled, bifacial;

blade linear to linear-oblong or narrowly lanceolate, coriaceous, margins entire, revolute, abaxial surface minutely tomentose, adaxial glabrous.

persistent (deciduous in Arctous), usually alternate, sometimes opposite or whorled (Ornithostaphylos), rarely opposite (Xylococcus);

petiole usually present, sometimes absent (Arctostaphylos);

blade plane, abaxial groove absent.

panicles, 10–20-flowered.

terminal, panicles or racemes;

perulae absent;

bracts much shorter than sepals;

bracteoles 2 or absent (Arctostaphylos, Arctous).

bisexual;

sepals persistent, (4–)5, connate to 1/2 their lengths, triangular;

petals (4–)5, connate 2/3–3/4 their lengths, white, corolla nearly globose to urceolate (sometimes widest proximally);

stamens 8–10, included, (equal);

filaments dilated near base;

anthers with awns, dehiscent by 2 slits;

ovary 5-locular;

stigma slightly capitate.

pendulous;

sepals (4-)5;

petals (4-)5, connate, corolla deciduous, usually urceolate, sometimes cylindric, conic, or globose, lobes much shorter than tube;

intrastaminal nectary disc present;

stamens (8-)10;

anthers dehiscent by slits or pores;

ovary 2-10-locular;

placentation axile;

style straight.

drupaceous (baccate in Arbutus), (pulp mealy or juicy), indehiscent;

pyrenes 1-5, often connate into stonelike endocarp.

brown or reddish brown, globose or nearly so, dry, smooth;

pyrenes 5, connate into solid, globose endocarp.

10, connate.

1-10, usually distinct, sometimes connate, globose (sometimes 3-sided), not winged.