Saururaceae

Description

Number of genera: 5

Number of species: 7

Taxonomic notes (from PLANTAE): It is generally agreed that the Saururaceae are closely related to the Piperaceae. Gymnotheca resembles the Piperaceae, especially the genus Zippelia, anatomically and in habit. Zippelia and its synonym Circaeocarpus have moved back and forth between the Piperaceae and the Saururaceae. The Piperaceae, however, have scattered vascular bundles while the arrangement is more typically dicotyledanous in the Saururaceae.

Distribution (from PLANTAE): The distribution of the Saururaceae is another example of the northern hemisphere Tertiary flora (e.g. Saururus, Liriodendron, etc...). Most species prefer damp, shady situations in forests or, like Saururus, marshy habitats.

Floras and Monographs

Saururaceae: [Book] Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.