Leitneria

The species described below is of botanical interest as the sole member of the family Leitneriaceae, the taxonomic position of which is controversial. In most classifications it is given the rank of an Order – the Leitneriales – which is placed near to the Salicales (Populus and Salix) and the Myricales (Myrica). The staminate catkins consist of numerous bracts, each of which subtends a cluster of three to twelve stamens; corolla and calyx absent. In the pistillate catkins most of the bracts subtend a female ‘flower’ (perhaps a reduced inflorescence) consisting of a pistil surrounded by secondary bracts and bract-like sepals and surmounted by a single style. Fruit a leathery drupe.