Rhus trilobata
 
Skunkbush

Pyrene

Hidden Valley Nature Area
East of Craven in the Qu'Appelle Valley
17-Aug-2007

This pyrene was removed from a mature drupe.

The fruit of this species is a drupe.  A drupe has an outer exocarp, a fleshy mesocarp, and a hard stony endocarp enclosing the seed.  The exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp are derived from the ovary wall.  The endocarp and seed comprise a unit called a pyrene.

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Trilobata: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF) and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this species. 
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large shrubs, 1-2 m high; NOT [low shrubs]

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plant much branched; NOT [plant with a single stem]

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leaflets not over 3 cm long; NOT [leaflets 3-10 cm long]

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flowering before leaves appear; NOT [leafing before flowering]

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fruit red; NOT [fruit white]

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fruit hairy; NOT [fruit smooth]

 

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Anacardiaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 
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shrubs or trees; NOT [herbs]

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plants NOT climbing

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plants with normal leaves

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leaves alternate; NOT [leaves opposite]

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leaves compound; NOT [leaves simple]

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leaflets NOT leathery

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leaflets NOT spinose-tipped

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flowers dioecious or perfect; NOT [flowers perfect]

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flowers with two floral rings, and with each petal distinct from the others

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petals 5; NOT [petal (standard) solitary]

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stamens 5; NOT [stamens numerous]

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fruit NOT a legume