View source for Azara (plant)

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Azara
| image = Azara_petiolaris_1.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''A. petiolaris''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Salicaceae]]
| genus = '''''Azara'''''
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
See text.
}}

'''''Azara''''' is a [[genus]] of ten species of [[flowering plant]]s in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Salicaceae]], native to temperate to subtropical regions of [[South America]]. ''Azara'' was formerly classed in the family [[Flacourtiaceae]]. 

They are [[evergreen]] [[shrub]]s and small [[tree]]s growing to 1-8 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, or in some species they appear paired, are simple 1-9 cm long and 0.5-5 cm broad. The opposite-leaved appearance of some species is unusual in that one stipule is enlarged giving the appearance of opposite ["paired"] leaves. The [[flower]]s are small, yellow or greenish, strongly fragrant, with a 4-5-lobed calyx and no petals but conspicuous long, often brightly colored, stamens; flowering is in spring. The [[fruit]] is a red to black [[berry]] 3-10 mm diameter.

Several species are cultivated as [[ornamental plant]]s in [[garden]]s.

;Species:
*''Azara alpina''
*''Azara celastrina''
*''Azara dentata''
*''Azara integrifolia'' Goldspire Azara
*''Azara lanceolata'' Lanceleaf Azara
*''Azara microphylla'' Boxleaf Azara, with fan-like branches and small dark, glossy leaves
*''Azara petiolaris'' Holly Azara, with smooth oval leaves
*''Azara salicifolia''
*''Azara serrata''
*''Azara uruguayensis''

==External links==
*[http://selectree.calpoly.edu/searchresults.lasso?-Search&-Database=ufei&-Table=selectree&-KeyField=ID&Genus=Azara Tree Selection Guide: Azara]
*Pictures and information of [http://www.chilebosque.cl/shrb/adent.html ''A. dentata''], [http://www.chilebosque.cl/shrb/amicr.html ''A. microphylla''] and [http://www.chilebosque.cl/shrb/apeti.html ''A. petiolaris'']
[[Category:Salicaceae]]
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