Sweetspire [Greek itea, willow, alluding to willowlike leaves]

Shrubs without bristles and spines. Leaves: stipules minute, subulate; blade elliptic or obovate, surfaces glabrous or glabrate abaxially, glabrous adaxially, pinnately veined. Inflorescences: bracts subtending pedicels caducous. Flowers: hypanthium cup-shaped; sepals green; petals white; styles connate and grooved at anthesis, distinct in fruit. Capsules 2-locular, longitudinally 2-grooved. x = 11.

Species 29 (1 in the flora): c, e United States, e Asia, Africa.

Lower Taxon

• Itea virginica Linnaeus