Herbs , perennial, caulescent, from stout rhizomes; sap yellow to orange. Stems naked above base except for 2-3 leaves subtending inflorescence. Leaves: basal rosulate, petiolate; cauline subopposite, sessile; blades 1-2× pinnately lobed. Inflorescences terminal, umbelliform, few-flowered; bracts present. Flowers: sepals 2, distinct; petals 4; stamens many; pistil [2-](3-)4-carpellate; ovary 1-locular; style distinct; stigma shallowly 3-4(-5)-lobed. Capsules nodding, [2-](3-)4-valved, dehiscing from apex. Seeds few to many, arillate. x = 10.

Stylophorum is most closely related to Hylomecon Maximowicz, a monotypic genus from eastern Asia, and to Chelidonium .

Sep 2; pet 4, yellow; ovary ellipsoid, abruptly narrowed to an elongate style; stigma 2-4-lobed; placentas 2-4; capsule dehiscent from the top downwards by elongate valves; seeds arillate; perennial, rhizomatous herbs with saffron-colored juice, deeply lobed, mostly basal lvs, and a few-fld, terminal, umbelliform infl. 2, the other in e. Asia.

Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

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