Herbs, perennial, with fleshy roots, rhizomatous; stems erect, unbranched. Leaves
2 (-3), alternate or subopposite at apex of stem, simple, rarely 3-foliolate, deeply
palmately lobed and serrate, or sometimes bipartite, exstipulate, palmately veined.
Inflorescence terminal cymes, fascicles, subumbels, racemes, spikes, panicles or flowers
solitary. Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual, erect or pendulous. Perianth parts 9 (-18),
imbricate, in 2 -
3 series; outer 3 sepaloid, fugaceous; inner 6 petaloid. Stamens (3-) 6
(-18); anthers basiflxed, extrorse, opening by longitudinal slits; connective shortly pro-
duced. Ovary a solitary carpel superior, 1-locular; ovules one to numerous, marginal;
stigma peltate. Fruit a fleshy berry or dehiscent follicles; seeds many.
Himalayas to E. Asia and eastern N. America; 6 genera and ca 20 species, one genus and 2 species in India.
Literature. CHATTERJEE, R. (1953) Studies in Indian Berberidaceae from botanical, chemical and pharmaceutical aspects. Rec. Bot. Surv. India 16(2): 1 - 86. 1953. JAFRI, S. M. H. (1974) Podophyllaceae. In: Fl. W. Pakistan 57: 1 - 4.
Himalayas to E. Asia and eastern N. America; 6 genera and ca 20 species, one genus and 2 species in India.
Literature. CHATTERJEE, R. (1953) Studies in Indian Berberidaceae from botanical, chemical and pharmaceutical aspects. Rec. Bot. Surv. India 16(2): 1 - 86. 1953. JAFRI, S. M. H. (1974) Podophyllaceae. In: Fl. W. Pakistan 57: 1 - 4.
