Shrubs , twining. Leaves remote on long shoots, close on short lateral shoots. Flowers: perianth of 9-12 tepals in 2 series. Staminate flowers: stamens 5, partially or completely connate. Pistillate flowers: ovules 2-3 per locule. Berries on elongate receptacle when mature. x = 14.
The orthographic variant Schizandra , adopted by several authors for Schisandra Michaux, was first used by A. P. de Candolle ([1817]1818-1821, vol. 1, pp. 511, 544) and was perpetuated by subsequent authors. Convincing arguments for retention of the original orthography were presented by A. J. Rehder (1944). Schisandra is conserved over the earlier published name Stellandria .
