2. Reseda Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 448. 1753; Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 207. 1754.
Mignonette, réséda [Latin re-, again, and sedo, calm, assuage, alluding to medicinal properties attributed by Pliny the Elder to plants growing close to Rimini (Italy)]
Herbs [subshrubs] , annual, biennial, or perennial. Stems erect to ascending (ribs longitudinally marked), simple or branched (usually distally). Leaves: usually rosulate; alternate; usually petiolate (sometimes cauline subsessile); petiole (slender) much shorter than blade, sometimes winged; blade margins entire, pinnatisect, or lobed, lobes 1-11(-15) on each side. Inflorescences racemes (sometimes lateral from distal axils). Pedicels present (sometimes only 1 mm). Flowers: (rarely almost actinomorphic) sepals persistent or deciduous, 4-6[-8], basally connate (alternating with petals [sometimes accrescent]), usually unequal (adaxial larger); petals 4-6[-8], distinct or basally connate, margins usually incised, sometimes entire; intrastaminal nectary-discs present; stamens [7-]10-40; filaments persistent or deciduous, basally connate; ovaries [2-]3-4[-5]-carpelled (stigmatic teeth as many as carpels, placenta sometimes forked apically). Capsules erect or pendulous, angled, cylindric, ovoid-oblong, subglobose, or ovoid, walls membranous or chartaceous. Seeds (10-ca. 30) papillose, rugose, or smooth (sometimes with caruncles). x = 5, 6, [7, 8].
Species ca. 65 (4 in the flora): introduced; Europe, sw Asia, n Africa, n Atlantic Islands; introduced also in n, c Mexico, South America, c Asia, s Africa, Australia.
SELECTED REFERENCES Arber, A. 1942. Studies in flower structure. VII. On the gynaecium of Reseda, with a consideration of paracarpy. Ann. Bot. (Oxford), n. s. 6(21): 43-48. Avetisian, E. M. and A. K. Mekhakian. 1980. Palynology of the genus Reseda L. Biol. Zhurn. Armenii 23: 472-479. González Aguilera, J. J. and A. M. Fernández Peralta. 1983. The nature of polyploidy in Reseda sect. Leucoreseda (Resedaceae). Pl. Syst. Evol. 142: 223-237. Gori, C. 1957. Sull´embriologia e citologia di alcune specie del genere Reseda. Caryologia 10: 391-401.
