Rhus trilobata
 
Skunkbush

Perfect Flower Bottom

Hidden Valley Nature Area
East of Craven in the Qu'Appelle Valley
05-May-07

This species is polygamodioecious, meaning that there are perfect (bisexual) and male flowers on some plants, and perfect and female flowers on others.

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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