Plant Families
Aristolochiaceae
- The dutchman's pipe family • Mostly herbs and lianas • Leaves alternate, simple, entire, with a palmate venation and pellucid dots • Flowers perfect, zygomorphic to actinomorphic • Calyx of 3 connate petaloid sepals, often bilaterally tubular and S-shaped or pipe-shaped, with spreading 3-(1-) lobed limb • Petals usually absent or vestigial • Stamens 6-12, often adnate to style • Carpels 4-6, connate; ovary half-inferior to inferior • Fruit a capsule -Distribution & ecology: widespread in tropics and temperate zone, except Australia -8 genera / 400 species: Aristolochia, Asarum, Hexastylis occur in the southeastern U.S. - Products: • species of Asarum (wild-ginger), Hexastylis, Aristolochia (Dutchman's pipe) cultivated as ornamentals; • aromatic roots of Aristolochia spp. used medicinally
Clusiaceae
- the Saint John's wort family - Clusiaceae=Guttiferae -• Resinous trees, shrubs, or herbs • Leaves opposite (whorled), simple, entire, pinnate glandular punctate • Inflorescence determinate, terminal, cymose (solitary) • Flowers actinomorphic perfect or imperfect and dioecious • Sepals 2-5 (10), distinct, often unequal • Petals 4-5 (12), distinct, often asymmetrical, yellow, pink, or white • Stamens usu many, connate in 3-5 fascicles • Pistil 1, 3-5 carpellate, syncarpelous; ovary superior, 3-5 (1) locular; ovules usu many per locule; styles (0) 3-5, distinct or basally connate; stigmas broad and radiating (when sessile) or capitate (when styles present) • Fruit a capsule (berry or drupe) • 45 genera / ca. 1000 species • Clusia, Hypericum and Triadenum in continental United States and Canada • Distribution: widespread, primarily tropical (except for Hypericum s.l.) -Products: - Edible fruits: Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen), Mammea americana (mamey apple) - Drugs from leaves of Hypericum spp. (St. John's wort) used to treat depression - Ornamentals with showy flowers: Hypericum spp. and Clusia spp. - Timber from a number of tropical genera, e.g., Calophyllum, Caraipa, Platonia - Dyes from bark of Calophyllum, Vismia - Gums, pigments, resins from stems of Garcinia - Oil from seeds of Allanblakia, Calophyllum, Garcinia, Mammea References
Ericaceae
- the blueberry or heath family Mycorrhizal trees, shrubs, lianas, some mycoparasitic herbs Leaves mostly alternate, estipulate Inflorescences various Flowers perfect, usually actinomorphic,sometimes zygomorphic Sepals 4-5 Petals 4-5, connate; corolla usually urceolate, sometimes campanulate or zygomorphic Stamens 8-10, sometimes spurred or awned; anther dehiscence poricidal Carpels 2-10, connate; ovary superior to inferior; style & stigma 1 Fruit a capsule, berry, or drupe with 1-several pyrenes - 100 genera / 2500 species Widespread in temperate cool and subtropical regions and mountains in tropics Most species are mycorrhizal and thrive in acidic soils. Ornamental genera Arbutus - madrone Calluna - heather Erica - heath Kalmia - mountain laurel Oxydendrum - sourwood Pieris Leucothoe - fetterbush Rhododendron - azalea, rhododendron Oil of wintergreen (methyl salicylate) - originally from Gaultheria procumbens Blueberries - Vaccinium spp. & hybrids -Poisonous taxa Kalmia spp. With common names like lamb-kill and poison laurel, it is not surprising that mountain laurel and its relatives are poisonous. Poisonous agent - andromedotoxin (diterpene) - Other poisonous genera include Leucothoe Lyonia Pieris Rhododendron -Medicinal & herbal species Rhododendron anthopogonoides - extracts used to treat bronchitis in China Vaccinium arboreum - fruit & bark from roots used to treat dysentery Folk remedy - Caution don't try this at home! Monotropa uniflora (indian pipe) - juice from plants squeezed directly into inflamed eyes
Magnoliaceae
- the magnolia family • Aromatic trees or shrubs, deciduous or evergreen • Leaves alternate, entire, stipulate; stipules deciduous encircling nodes, leaving ring-like scar • Flowers solitary, terminal, perfect, actinomorphic, often large, showy; receptacle elongated • Perianth of 6 or more tepals, usu 3 whorls of 3 each • Stamens numerous, distinct; filaments short, thick, undifferentiated from anthers • Carpels numerous, distinct; ovary superior • Fruit an aggregate of follicles or samaras, sometimes fleshy and berrylike • Seeds usually red with fleshy outer layer, suspended by threadlike strand (funiculus) from follicles -7 genera / 220 species (Zomlefer. 1994) -2 genera / 220 species (Judd et al., 1999) -12 genera / 220 species (Cronquist, 1981) Local genera: • Magnolia • Liriodendron • Tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions of E North America, Asia, and South America • Mesic forests -Products: • Timber from Magnolia & Liriodendron • Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnolia spp., Michelia spp. used as ornamentals, some of the most beautiful • Chinese herbalists use Magnolia - Magnolia liliflora bud extracts used to treat clogged sinuses and upper respiratory infection and to slow fungal growths - Magnolia officionalis bark extracts used to treat digestive ailments (e.g., cramps, gas, bloating) • Magnoliaceae among earliest angiosperm families - fossils >100 mya • Pollination - Magnolia - by beetles feeding on pollen & other floral tissues - Liriodendron - bees • Dispersal - Liriodendron: samaras / dispersed by wind - Magnolia: bright red seeds are suspended from the follicles / dispersed by birds
Amaranthaceae
- the pigweed family Herbs or suffrutescent shrubs, sometimes succulent Stems with concentric rings of vascular bundles Herbage (stems & leaves) often partially red pigmented Leaves alternate or opposite, simple, with pinnate venation; stipules absent Terminal and axillary determinate inflorescences, sometimes densely clustered; flowers subtended by persistent membranous, scarious or papery bractlets Flowers perfect (imperfect), actinomorphic, reduced Perianth of 3-5 imbricate, usually scarious tepals (sepals); tepals sometimes green and herbaceous or fleshy Stamens (3-) 5; filaments basally to wholly connate Pistil compound, 2-3 carpellate; ovary superior, unilocular; stigmas 1-3 Fruit an achene or nutlet, utricle, or pyxis, with persistant perianth or bractlets - 65 genera / 850 species Genera in southeastern USA include Celosia, Alternanthera, Amaranthus (including Acnida), Gomphrena, Iresine & Froelichia Cosmopolitan, but especially in disturbed, arid, or saline habitats - Products: Beta vulgaris (beet) Spinacia oleracea (spinach) Amaranthus achenes - Amaranth & corn were staple crops for Aztecs of Mexico. - Amaranth: grain of the gods - Aztecs used in sacrificial rituals. Ornamentals - Celosia (cock's comb) - Gomphrena (globe amaranth) - Iresine (bloodleaf) Economically important weeds include - Amaranthus spp. (pigweeds) - agriculture - Alternanthera spp. (alligator weeds) - aquatic ecosystems
Nymphaeaceae
- the water-lily family • Traditionally Nymphaeaceae were classified with dicots. • However, molecular evidence indicates Nymphaeaceae are neither monocots nor dicots and should be classified with some of the most primitive angiosperms - the "paleoherbs." • Aquatic, rhizomatous herbs; mucilaginous • Leaves short- to long-petiolate; blades submerged, natant or emergent, entire, toothed or dissected • Flowers solitary, perfect, actinomorphic, floating or raised above water on end of long pedicel • Sepals mostly 4 or 6, distinct, often petaloid • Corolla of 8-many petals, often showy, often intergrading with stamens • Androecium of 3-many spirally arranged stamens • Gynoecium of 1 pistil; carpels 3-many, distinct to connate; ovary superior to inferior • Fruit berry-like, spongy; seeds small, usually operculate • Distribution & ecology: widespread from tropical to cold temperate regions; habitat rivers, ponds, lakes • 8 genera / 70 species: Nymphaea, Nuphar, Cabomba, Brasenia • Economic plants & products: ornamental pond and aquarium plants • Victoria amazonica (Amazon water-lily) with its spectacular large floating leaves has long been a curiosity of botanical gardens since the Victorian era.
Ranunculaceae
-the buttercup family Annual or perennial herbs with acrid sap, shrubs or vines (Clematis) less frequent Leaves alternate (opposite in Clematis), simple or variously dissected or compound; stipules usually absent Terminal, determinate inflorescence, sometimes reduced to solitary flower Flowers perfect, usually actinomorphic Perianth of 4 to many tepals or differentiated into 5 sepals and 5 petals, petals often with basal nectaries Stamens numerous, spirally arranged Gynoecium of 5 to many, spirally arranged, simple, distinct carpels; ovary superior, 1-locular; stigma extending down 1 side of style Fruit an aggregate of follicles or achenes, or sometimes a berry 46 genera / 1900 species Major genera: Ranunculus (400 spp.), Aconitum (250), Clematis (250), Delphinium (250), Anemone (150), and Thalictrum (1000 Temperate and boreal regions of Northern Hemisphere Greatest diversity in E Asia and E North America Many ornamental herbs and vines (e.g., Clematis, Delphinium) Medicinal and poisonous plants contain alkaloids, glycosides, and saponins, e.g., Ranunculus (ranunculin), Delphinium (delphinine), Aconitum (aconitine), Hydrastis (berberine) - Aconitum napellus "aconite" handsome garden plant also used as arrow poison contains aconitine, fast-acting poison Roman Emperor Claudius said to have died from ingestion of aconite aconite used to murder Pope Adrian VI
Polygonaceae
-the knotweed family Herbs, vines, shrubs or trees Stems with swollen nodes Leaves alternate, simple, usually entire; stipules connate, modified into sheath-like ocrea; venation pinnate Inflorescences various, dense-cymose, often appearing racemose Flowers usually perfect, actinomorphic, sometimes imperfect and plants dioecious Perianth of 2-6 tepals, in two whorls, sometimes differentiated into 3 sepals and 3 petals Stamens 5-9, commonly 6 in two whorls of 3 each Gynoecium of 1 compound pistil of 2-3 (4) fused carpels; ovary superior, unilocular, with 1 ovule Fruit a lenticular or trigonous achene or nutlet, often included within persistent perianth -Most Polygonaceae have perfect flowers; however, in this species the flowers are unisexual and plants are dioecious. - 49 genera/1,100 species Widely distributed Especially common in northern temperate regions -Products Buckwheat - from fruits of Fagopyrum Sea grape - edible fruit of Coccoloba Rhubarb - edible petioles of Rheum Ornamentals Rumex, Persicaria, Polygonum Rumex acetosella "red sorrel" - reputed to have a variety of medicinal uses -Poisonous species Rumex acetosa, Rumex venosus, Rumex acetosella Fagopyrum esculentum
Lauraceae
-the laurel family • Trees and shrubs (parasitic vines in Cassytha), aromatic; • Leaves simple entire, alternate (opposite), coriaceous, evergreen (membranous, deciduous), venation net, pinnate; • Inflorescence cymose, appearing racemose, paniculate, or umbellate; • Flowers actinomorphic, perfect (imperfect and plants dioecious), hypogynous to perigynous, small; • Perianth of 6 tepals (3+3), distinct or basally connate, sepaloid, greenish, yellowish or whitish, small; perianth often persistent, forming a cupule; • Stamens usually 9 (12), in whorls of 3 each, 1 or more whorls reduced to staminodes or absent; filaments oft with glandular appendages; anthers valvate, introrse (outer 2 whorls) and extrorse (inner whorl; • Gynoecium of 1 pistil, 1-carpellate; ovary superior, 1-locular; ovule solitary; style 1, simple; stigma 1, sometimes 2-3 lobed; • Fruit a drupe or 1-seeded drupaceous berry. • 31 genera / ca. 2500 species • Distribution - Tropics, subtropics, warm temperate, worldwide - Greatest diversity in South America & SE Asia - Economic Importance: • Cinnamomum verum (C. zeylanica) - cinnamon (inner bark) • Cinnamomum camphora - camphor • Laurus nobilis - Bay leaf - Laurel wreath symbolized highest status in Ancient Greece and Rome; given as the prize in the Pythian Games (Olympics) of Ancient Greece • Umbellularia californica - California bay leaf • Persea americana - avocado • Sassafras albidum - sassafras tea from roots - Gumbo filé from ground leaves (Cajun cuisine) • Sassafras, Nectandra - fragrant cabinet wood • Ocotea - timber • Ornamentals - Cinnamomum, Laurus, etc. • Lindera melissifolia is one of the rarest shrubs in North America. • Litsea aestivalis is also a rare shrub.
Malvaceae
-the mallow family -Herbs or shrubs (trees), often with stellate hairs or peltate scales - Leaves alternate, simple, usually with palmate venation; stipules usually present - Flowers solitary, axillary, or inflorescence cymose; flowers often subtended by sepaloid bracts "epicalyx" Flowers often large, showy, perfect, actinomorphic - Calyx of 5 sepals - Corolla of 5 petals - Androecium of numerous monodelphous stamens; column of connate filaments ensheathing ovary and style -Gynoecium of 1 compound pistil, 2 to many (often 5) carpellate; ovary superior, with as many locules as carpels; styles equal to or twice as many as carpels; each branch with a terminal capitate stigma -Fruit usually a loculicidal capsule -75 genera / ca. 1500 spp. - Distribution Cosmopolitan Most species tropical/subtropical -Products -Foods Abelmoschus esculentus (=Hibiscus esculentus) Okra fruit Hibiscus sabdariffa - rosella or red sorrel Fleshy calyx substitute for cranberry juice, jelly, etc. Theobroma cacao (Sterculiaceae) Chocolate from seeds Cola spp. (Sterculiaceae) Cola seeds Durio zibethinus (Sterculiaceae) Durian fruit - Ornamentals Alcea rosea - hollyhock Hibiscus many species & hybrids Hibiscus syriacus - roseof-Sharon Pavonia Malaviscus - Turk's cap Thespesia - Portia tree Malva - mallow -Cotton from seed hairs (trichomes) of Gossypium hirsutum & other Gossypium spp.
Brassicaceae
-the mustard family -Brassicaceae=Cruciferae -Herbs with watery, acrid sap - Leaves alternate, often in basal rosettes; blades simple or pinnately lobed; stipules absent - Inflorescence indeterminate, terminal, racemose or corymbose Flowers actinomorphic, perfect, hypogynous -Calyx of 4 distinct sepals - Corolla of 4 distinct petals, cruciform; petals clawed with horizontally spreading limbs, usually white, yellow, lavender or pink - Androecium of 6 stamens, tetradynamous (4 long + 2 short) - Gynoecium of 2 carpels united to form a compound pistil; ovary superior, 2-locular by means of membranous partition (false septum); ovules many; style absent or short; stigma 2-lobed - Fruit a silique (longer than wide) or silicle (wider than long) - 94 genera / 634 species - Mostly northern and southern temperate zones - Products * Important sources of food Armoracia - horse-radish Brassica nigra - black mustard Brassica oleracea - broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, rutabaga, rape, turnip Raphanus - radish Nasturtium - watercress Sinapsis - yellow mustard Canola oil from seeds of Brassica spp. cultivars *Ornamentals Arabis - rockcress Erysimum - wallflower Hesperis - rocket Iberis - candytuft Lunaria - moneyplant *Weeds Capsella spp. - shephard's purse Lepidium spp. - pepper-grass
Annonaceae
-the pawpaw or custard-apple family • Trees, shrubs or lianas, with conspicuously fibrous bark; • Leaves alternate, 2-ranked, often short-petioled, simple, entire, with net-pinnate venation; • Inflorescences determinate, often reduced to a single flower. • Flowers radial, usually perfect; • Sepals usually 3, distinct or connate; • Petals usually 6, distinct, the outer 3 often larger and differentiated from the inner 3; • Stamens many, distinct, appearing peltate; • Carpels 3 to many, distinct; ovary superior; ovules 1 to many per carpel; • Fruit an aggregate of berries. • 130 genera / 2300 species • Tropical (subtropical) Western & Eastern hemispheres • Largest family in Magnoliales • Asimina, Deeringothamnus, and Annona are represented in the continental United States. -Economic importance • Several tropical species have commercially important, edible fruits, e.g., - Sweetsop or sugar apple (Annona squamosa) - Cherimoya (Annona cherimola) • Asimina triloba (pawpaw or custard apple), native to Georgia, has edible berries. • Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flowers are used in perfumes. • Monodora myrstica (Calabash nutmeg) is used as a substitute for nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Myristicaceae). • Certain species of Annona, Cananga an Polyalthia are grown as ornamentals. Poisonous species • Asimina triloba (pawpaw) - Fruit causes dermatitis in susceptible individuals and can also cause severe gastroenteritis when ingested. • Annona muricata (soursop) - Fruit is edible; however, the seeds contain a neurotoxin (annonacin) that causes the accumulation of tau protein in the brain (taupathy).
Caryophyllaceae
-the pink family Herbs Stems with swollen nodes Leaves opposite, simple, entire, often linear with parallel veins, often with connate bases Inflorescences cymes or flowers sometimes solitary Flowers perfect, actinomorphic Sepals 5 (4), distinct to connate Petals 5 (4 or absent), often with apical notch Stamens 1-10 or absent Carpels 2-5, connate; ovary compound, superior, unilocular; ovules many Fruit a capsule, dehiscing by apical valves, or a utricle 70 genera / 1,750 species Silene (700), Dianthus (300), Arenaria (200), Gypsophila (150), Minuartia (150), Stellaria (150), Paronychia (110), Cerastium (100) Numerous native & introduced genera in North America Widespread, in temperate & warm temperate regions of Northern Hemisphere Common in open or disturbed habitats Family well known for outstanding ornamentals Dianthus - carnations, pinks, sweet William Gypsophila - baby's breath Saponaria - soapwort Silene - catchfly, campion
Sarraceniaceae
-the pitcher plant family • Perennial insectivorous herbs inhabiting nitrogen deficient soils of bogs, with rhizomes; • Leaves tubular, in basal rosettes; • Flowers solitary, nodding, perfect, actinomorphic, elevated on long pedicels; • Sepals 5, distinct; • Petals 5, distinct, floppy; • Stamens many; filaments distinct; • Pistil 1, syncarpous, usu 5-carpellate; ovary superior, 5-locular, 5-lobed; ovules many per locule; style 1, with a large umbrella-like, peltate apex with 5 lobes; stigmas 5, each located near the end of each style lobe; • Fruit a capsule; seeds numerous. - 3 genera / ca. 15 species • Distribution of the genera - Sarracenia in eastern North America - Darlingtonia in coastal Oregon and N California - Heliamphora in northern South America • Economic plants and products: - Some are used as novelty indoor potted plants. • Misc. notes: - These plants inhabit acidic, nitrogen deficient soils of bogs. They have evolved tubular leaves to trap small insects. Eventually the trapped insects die and fall into the fluid that accumulates in the bottom of the modified leaf, where they decompose. The nitrogen released during this decomposition is taken up and used by the plant. Thus, through this nitrogen supplementation the pitcher plant is able to thrive in the nitrogen deficient bog habitat where most plants would die.
Portulacaceae
-the purslane family • Annual or perennial herbs (or suffrutescent shrubs), succulent, often prostrate, mucilaginous; • Leaves simple, entire, opposite or alternate, succulent, cylindrical or flattened, stipules scarious or tufted hairs; • Inflorescence cymose, often appearing racemose, paniculate or capitate, or flowers sometimes solitary in leaf axils; • Flowers actinomorphic, perfect, hypogynous to half-epigynous, showy, subtended by 2 unequal sepaloid bracts ("calyx"); • Perianth of 4-6 tepals, petaloid, distinct or basally connate, ephemeral, often brightly colored ("corolla"); • Androecium of 4-6 stamens or stamens sometimes numerous, sometimes epitepalous; • Gynoecium of 1 pistil, 2-9 carpellate; ovary superior to half-inferior, 1-locular; ovules many (few); styles usu as many as carpels; • Fruit usually a circumscissile capsule (pyxis). • 19 genera / 500 species • Distribution: widespread in warm and temperate climates • Major genera in US: Portulaca, Phemeranthus (formerly Talinum), Claytonia, Lewisia
Euphorbiaceae
-the spurge family - Herbs or shrubs, usually with milky or colored latex, often with glands - Leaves simple to compound, alternate (opposite or whorled); stipules usually present - Inflorescence spicate, capitate, or in flowerlike cyathium: "calyx" of involucral bracts, "corolla" of glandular appendages, single pistil of carpellate flower, and several stamens of staminate flower -Flowers small, actinomorphic, imperfect (plants monoecious or dioecious), hypogynous - Calyx (0) 5 sepals - Corolla 0 (5 petals) - Androecium 1-many stamens - Gynoecium 1 pistil, 3-carpellate, ovary superior with 1-2 ovules per locule - Fruit a capsular schizocarp, splitting into 3 segments each with 1-2 seeds -~300 genera / ~7000 species -Cosmopolitan with most species in tropical and subtropical regions - Products - Rubber - Latex from Hevea brasiliensis - Para rubber - Food - Manihot esculenta (sweet manioc) - cassava, tapioca - See note about bitter manioc on next slide. - Ornamentals - Euphorbia spp. - Euphorbia pulcherrima - Christmas poinsettia, Mexican flame tree -Croton spp. -Poisonous species Ricinus communis - castorbean Castor-oil from seeds Seeds contain ricin, an extremely poisonous protein! Manihot esculenta - bitter manihoc Roots from plants with glycocides are poisonous and known as bitter manioc. Impossible to distinguish from edible sweet manioc without prior knowledge or tasting
Cucurbitaceae
-the squash or pumpkin family -Prostrate or climbing vines, oft with coarse, scabrous parts • Stems 5-angled • Leaves alternate, simple, palmately veined, palmately lobed or palmately compound, with coiled tendrils at petiole base; stipules absent • Inflorescence determinate, cymose or flowers solitary, axillary • Flowers actinomorphic, imperfect (plants monoecious or dioecious), epigynous, showy, with a hypanthium • Sepals 5, connate • Petals 5, connate, campanulate, rotate or salverform, yellow, orange, greenish or white • Stamens 5 (3, 1), often adnate to hypanthium, often highly modified through reduction and fusion; staminodes sometimes present in carpellate flowers • Pistil 1, usu 3-carpellate; ovary inferior, 1-locular; ovules many, placentation parietal; style usu 1; stigmas usu 3; rudimentary pistil often present in staminate flowers • Fruit a pepo or berry; seeds many, large, usu flattened • 118 genera / 825 species • Major genera: Cayaponia (60), Momordica (45), Gurania (40), and Sicyos (40) • Distributed mainly in tropics and subtropics - Edible fruits and seeds • Cucurbita (pumpkins, winter and summer squashes, gourds) • Cucumis (cantaloupe, muskmelon, honeydew melon, cucumber) • Citrullus (watermelon) • Momordica (balsam-pear, balsam-apple, bitter-melon) - leaves and nascent shoots also consumed - Ornamentals • Coccinea (ivy gourd) • Luffa (loofah, vegetable sponge) • Ecballium (squirting cucumber) • Sicyos (burr-cucumber) • Trichosanthes (snake-gourd) -Medicinal uses • Momordica (balsam-pear, balsam-apple, bitter-melon) • Gastrointestinal ailments, antiviral, anticancer, antimalarial, activity against nematode worms, cardioprotective, diabetes? • Caution: seeds are toxic - Misc. • Luffa (loofah) - vegetable sponge
Illiciaceae
-the star anise family • Aromatic trees or shrubs; • Leaves alternate, simple, entire, pinnate, coriaceous, evergreen; • Inflorescence axillary, flowers solitary (2-3) • Flowers perfect, radial; tepals many, distinct; stamens many, distinct; filaments short, thick; anther connective extending beyond pollen sacs; carpels 7-many, distinct, in one whorl; ovary superior; stigma extending down style • Fruit a star-like aggregate of 1-seeded follicles; seeds ejected from follicles by elastic dehiscence • 1 genus / 37 species: Illicium floridanum and I. parviflorum native to United States • Distribution & habitat: southeastern Asia, southeastern United States, Caribbean, and Mexico; primarily in moist forests -Products: - Illicium verum (star anise) fruits used as spice in oriental cuisine; - anise oil extracted from fruits used as antiseptic and medicinally in treatment for scabies, lice and bedbugs (Duke 1997); - some species used ornamentally
Violaceae
Perennial herbs (shrubs, trees in tropics) • Leaves alternate or in a basal rosette, simple, sometimes lobed, stipulate • Inflorescence indeterminate, racemose or flowers solitary • Flowers perfect, zygomorphic (actinomorphic), hypogynous • Sepals 5, distinct, persistent, usu unequal, usu auriculate • Petals 5, distinct, usu unequal with large spurred anterior petal • Stamens 5, connivent around gynoecium; filaments short, 2 or more with basal spur-like nectaries; anthers with terminal appendages • Carpels 3, connate; ovary superior; style 1; ovules 1-many • Fruit usu a 3-valved capsule, elastically dehiscent • 22 genera / 900 species • Major genera: Viola (500 spp.), Rinorea (300), and Hybanthus (100) • Viola and Hybanthus occur in the southeastern U.S. • Widespread distribution; mainly herbaceous species in temperate regions -Products • Saponins and alkaloids used medicinally as expectorants and emetics are derived from roots of Hybanthus and Viola. • Perfume derived from Viola odorata. • Viola spp. (violet, pansy) and Hybanthus spp. (green violet) are used as ornamentals. • Many violets (Viola spp.) are edible and nutritious, remarkably high in vitamin C and beta-carotene. ---Pollination • All genera are insect-pollinated, with flowers producing nectar. -Dispersal • Small seeds may be ejected from elastically dehiscent capsules. • Seeds of some violets have an oily aril covering and are dispered by ants.
Nelumbonaceae
The lotus-lily family -Diagnosis: Rhizomatous aquatic. Leaves natant to emergent, long petiolate; blades large, round, peltate. Flowers solitary, long pedunculate, radial, spiral, perfect; tepals many, 2 outer sepaloid, others petaloid; stamens many; carpels 12-40, separate, elevated on and sunken into large, obconic, spongy receptacle. Fruit an aggregate of nuts, nuts loose in receptacle cavities. -1 genus / 2 species: Nelumbo -Distribution & ecology: warmer parts of Asia & Australia (N. nucifera) and E North America (N. lutea); edges of ponds & lakes -Economic plants & products: ornamentals in water gardens & ponds Nelumbo nucifera, the sacred lotus of Asia, is also famous for the great longevity of its seeds - 3000 years when stored under favorable conditions! • Nelumbonaceae have been classified in Nymphaeales (Cronquist), even within Nymphaeaceae. • However, molecular evidence supports placement within Proteales, along with Platanaceae [Platanus (sycamore)]. • Thus, more closely related to the sycamore tree than to other water lilies, the lotus is not a paleoherb! • We take up Nelumbonaceae here only for pragmatic reasons, i.e., because of the superficial similarity with Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae).
