Datiscaceae
Encyclopedia
Datiscaceae are a family of Dicotyledon
ous plants, containing two species of the genus Datisca. Two other genera, Octomeles
and Tetrameles are now classified in the Tetramelaceae
family.
Datiscaceae are slim herbaceous plants, with alternate and pennate leaves.
They are actinorhizal plant
s, that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots, and are the only ones that are not a tree or shrub, although there are non-actinorrhizal plants that also fix nitrogen, like legumes.
The species Datisca cannabina is found from Crete and Turkey all the way to the Himalayas
(as far east as Nepal
). It grows to about two meters tall and in May to August it produces small yellow flowers. It is grown for ornamental foliage and can produce a laxative
or a yellow dye. It looks like hemp
.
The North American species Datisca glomerata is native to California and Nevada.
Dicotyledon
The dicotyledons, also known as dicots, are a group of flowering plants whose seed typically has two embryonic leaves or cotyledons. There are around 199,350 species within this group...
ous plants, containing two species of the genus Datisca. Two other genera, Octomeles
Octomeles
Octomeles is a genus of plant in family Datiscaceae. It contains the following species :* Octomeles sumatrana, Miq....
and Tetrameles are now classified in the Tetramelaceae
Tetramelaceae
Tetramelaceae is a family of plant formerly classed in the Datiscaceae family. It contains the following genera:* Octomeles* Tetrameles...
family.
Datiscaceae are slim herbaceous plants, with alternate and pennate leaves.
They are actinorhizal plant
Actinorhizal plant
Actinorhizal plants are a group of angiosperms characterized by their ability to form a symbiosis with the nitrogen fixing actinobacteria Frankia...
s, that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots, and are the only ones that are not a tree or shrub, although there are non-actinorrhizal plants that also fix nitrogen, like legumes.
Species
The genus Datisca contains two species; one from Asia and one from North America.The species Datisca cannabina is found from Crete and Turkey all the way to the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
(as far east as Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
). It grows to about two meters tall and in May to August it produces small yellow flowers. It is grown for ornamental foliage and can produce a laxative
Laxative
Laxatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and/or bowel examinations, and may be supplemented by enemas under...
or a yellow dye. It looks like hemp
Hemp
Hemp is mostly used as a name for low tetrahydrocannabinol strains of the plant Cannabis sativa, of fiber and/or oilseed varieties. In modern times, hemp has been used for industrial purposes including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food and fuel with modest...
.
The North American species Datisca glomerata is native to California and Nevada.