Lauraceae
樟科
特徵描述
作者
LlAO, JIH CHING
型態特徵
Evergreen rarely deciduous trees, shrubs or vines, often aromatic. Leaves alternate, rarely opposite, simple, usually coriaceous, sometimes membranaceous, punctate, exstipulate. Inflorescences various, such as umbels, racemes, panicles or cymose-panicles; flowers actinomorphic, bisexual or unisexual, yellow or greenish; calyx usually 6-parted, the segments in 2 whorls; petals 0; stamens in 3-4, rarely more, whorls of 3, some often reduced to staminodia, perigynous or epigynous, anthers 2- or 4-celled, rarely 3-celled, opening by uplifting valves; ovary usually superior and free, rarely inferior, 1-celled, 1-ovuled, style filiform. Fruits berries or drupes, indhiscent; seed 1.
屬
Widely distributed in the tropics, especially in S. E. Asia and Brazil, and a smaller number in temperate regions. About 45 genera and 2,250 species; about 20 genera, 423 species, 43 varieties and 5 forms in mainland China; 13 genera, 60 species, 12 varieties and 2 forms in Taiwan (including 9 species and 1 variety introduced); a few genera are cultivated as ornamentals and for food. The avocado, cinnamon and camphor are articles of commerce.