Datiscaceae

▪ plant family

      family of the squash order (Cucurbitales) of flowering plants, with one genus. Datisca cannabina, which is found from the Mediterranean eastward to Central Asia, is a hemplike plant, 2 metres (7 feet) high, that has leaves with three to seven alternate, toothed leaflets. The female plants have sprays of yellow flowers, and a yellow dye is derived from the roots. Durango root (D. glomerata), native in coastal ranges of southwestern North America, grows to 1.25 metres (4 feet) tall and has deeply cut leaflets and inconspicuous flowers.

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