Adoxaceae

Order: Dipsacales

General Info:  

• Small Family
• Comprised of Four Genera
• Within Four Genera, 150-200 species
• Family was once place in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae

Indentifying Characteristics

• Oppisite Leaves
• Leaves are toothed
• Normally 5 small petalled flowers
• Flowers in cymose inflorescences (determinate simple inflorescence)
• Fruit is a drupe

Genera

1. Adoxa
2. Sambucus
3. Viburnum
4. Sinadoxa

1. Adoxa

• Small, herbacious herb
• Perennial (grows back every year)
• Flowers early in Spring                                                                              
• After berries mature in summer, dies down to ground
• Compound Leaves

2. Sambucus                

• Aka: Elderberry
• 5-30 species of shrubs and small trees
• Native to north and south hemispheres
• Leaves pinnate
• 5-9 leaflets
• Leafs have serrated margins
• Large clusters white flowers in late spring
• Flowers turn into berries (black to red)