| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperm-Dicots
Order: Laurales
Family: Calycanthaceae
Family Common Name: Calycanthus Family
Genera: Calycanthus |
Defining Features: The family
has similar features to the Magnoliaceae, such as free carpels and many
stamens. In the past it was also placed in the Rosales, in part due to
the presence of a hypanthium.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are actinomorphic and bisexual. Flowers are solitary.
Ovary is inferior with a hypanthium. Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon.
Fruit an achene and borne on the wall of the hypanthium, which is oily
and fleshy. Seeds are without endosperm and they are poisonous. Vegetative
Features: Habit as deciduous or evergreen shrubs to trees with aromatic
bark. Leaves are simple and opposite. Stipules are lacking.
Distribution: Confined mostly
to North America and China.
Economic Use: As an aromatic
cultivated shrub and also used medicinally.
Number of Genera Globally:
5
Number of Species Globally: 11
