Family Hydrangeaceae
Synonyms: Philadelphaceae APNI*
Description: Evergreen or deciduous shrubs or herbs, rarely lianas.
Leaves alternate or opposite, simple, usually entire, petiolate, epulvinate, exstipulate.
Plants hermaphrodite. Inflorescences cymose or corymbose, sometimes capitate, sometimes racemose by reduction. Flowers regular, 4–10 merous. Calyx 4–5(-10)-lobed, usually fused, imbricate or valvate. Corolla 4–5(-10) lobed, imbricate, contorted or valvate, regular. Stamens 4 or 8, or numerous, all fertile. Carpels (2-)3–5. Ovary 1–3(-5) locular, partly inferior to inferior. Epigynous disk usually present. Styles (2-)3–5, free to partially joined, apical. Placentation parietal or axile. Ovules numerous, anatropous.
Fruit usually a loculicidal capsule, rarely indehiscent or a berry, many seeded.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 9 genera and c. 210 species, Holarctic and Neotropical. Temperate to sub-tropical. Widespread North temperate and subtropical, and Andes from Mexico to Chile.Australia: 2 genera, 2 species, naturalised (1 doubtfully) Qld, N.S.W., Vic.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Hydrangeaceae, Order: Cornales)
Wikipedia
Text by K.D. Hill. Key by K.R. Thiele, added by K.L. Gibbons from Flora of Australia Online [accessed 28 June 2023]. Occurence updated by K.L. Gibbons, 30 June 2023, from Kew Plants of the World Online; Australian Plant Census [both accessed 30 June 2023].
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the genera | |
| 1 | Calyx lobes on some flowers enlarged and petaloid; staminal filaments filiform, as long or longer than petals | Hydrangea |
| Calyx lobes never enlarged and petaloid; staminal filaments winged, 2-dentate or 2-lobed at apex, shorter than petals | Deutzia |
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