Ruta L.

Herbs, perennial woody. Leaves alternate, 2 - 3-pinnatisect or pinnatipartite, strongly aromatic. Inflorescences terminal, corymbose, bracteate cymes. Flowers bisexual, scented. Sepals 4 (5), persistent, green. Petals 4(5) imbricate, concave, cucullate, margins dentate, ciliate or rarely entire and wavy. Stamens twice as many as petals, alternately longer and shorter. Disk thick, glandular-lobulate, often pitted. Ovary 4(-5)-lobed, 4(-5)-locular, ovules 2 - 6 or many in each locule; style ventral; stigma capitate. Fruits 4 - 5-lobed capsules, dehiscing at apex; seeds angled or reniform, pitted, albuminous, embryo rather curved.

Temperate or warm tropics of northern hemisphere in S. Europe to Mediterranean regions and W. Asia; 4 species, one in India only in cultivation, but becoming naturalized.

List of Lower Taxa