The Datiscaceae are a family of

dicotyledon The dicotyledons, also known as dicots (or, more rarely, dicotyls), are one of the two groups into which all the flowering plants (angiosperms) were formerly divided. The name refers to one of the typical characteristics of the group: namely, t ...

ous plants, containing two species of the genus ''Datisca''. Two other genera, '' Octomeles'' and ''

Tetrameles ''Tetrameles'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Tetramelaceae with one species, ''Tetrameles nudiflora''. It grows as a large deciduous tree and is found across southern Asia from India through southeast Asia, Malesia, and into nort ...

'', are now classified in the family

Tetramelaceae The Tetramelaceae are a family of plants formerly classed in the Datiscaceae family . It contains two genera, '' Octomeles'' and ''Tetrameles ''Tetrameles'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Tetramelaceae with one species, ''Tetram ...

. Datiscaceae are large herbaceous plants, with alternate and pinnate leaves. They are

actinorhizal plant Actinorhizal plants are a group of angiosperms characterized by their ability to form a symbiosis with the nitrogen fixing actinomycetota ''Frankia''. This association leads to the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Classification Actinor ...

s, that host

nitrogen-fixing bacteria Nitrogen fixation is a chemical process by which molecular nitrogen (), with a strong triple covalent bond, in the air is converted into ammonia () or related nitrogenous compounds, typically in soil or aquatic systems but also in industry. Atmo ...

in their roots, and are the only ones that are non-woody, although non-actinorrhizal plants also fix nitrogen, such as the

legume A legume () is a plant in the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seed of such a plant. When used as a dry grain, the seed is also called a pulse. Legumes are grown agriculturally, primarily for human consumption, for livestock for ...

Species

The genus ''Datisca'' contains two or three species; two from Asia and one from North America. The species '' Datisca cannabina'' is found in Crete and Turkey, and closely related '' Datisca nepalensis'' is found in the

Himalayas The Himalayas, or Himalaya (; ; ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the planet's highest peaks, including the very highest, Mount Everest. Over 10 ...

, and is sometimes included in ''D. cannabina''. It grows to about 2.0 m tall, and in May to August it produces small greenish-yellow flowers. This species is strictly

dioecious Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproducti ...

, with male and female flowers on different plants. It is grown for ornamental foliage and can be used to produce a

laxative Laxatives, purgatives, or aperients are substances that loosen stools and increase bowel movements. They are used to treat and prevent constipation. Laxatives vary as to how they work and the side effects they may have. Certain stimulant, lubri ...

and a yellow dye. The North American species ''

Datisca glomerata ''Datisca glomerata'' is a species of plant native to California, Nevada, and Baja California known by the common name Durango root. It is one of only two to four species in the plant family Datiscaceae. It is an erect perennial herb with distin ...

'' is native to California, Nevada, and Mexico. This species is more or less dioecious, except that female plants may possess some bisexual flowers, as well.

References

Datiscaceae Cucurbitales genera {{Cucurbitales-stub