Plant Families

Magnoliaceae

-Contains some of the oldest flowering plants -Evidence of using for medicinal purposes for 1000 years

Fagaceae

Beech Family Beech, oak, chestnuts Huge economic And ecological Impact Lumber, firewood, plantings, food Wildlife habitat & food We are a hotspot of diversity for Quercus (after Mexico - they are number 1!)

Ranunculaceae

Buttercup family Ornamental herbaceous (low growing herbs) plants Many are medicinal (e.g. goldenseal), others toxic (Monkshood

Ginkogoaceae

Called a living fossil has 1 species and is the oldest can grow in pollutants

Apiaceae

Carrot Family Approximately 2,000 members. Recognizable umbel inflorescence Many edible species Dill, Celery, Carrot, Parsley, Coriander & Cilantro Many deadly species Hemlock

Rutaceae

Citrus Family woody shrubs and trees Warm temperate & tropical climates Aromatic leaves are alternate or opposite with visible oil glands Flowers are mostly bisexual with 3-5 separate or connate petals High economic importance - fruit

Rubiaceae

Coffee, Madder Family whorled, entire leaves Inferior ovary Coffee = 2nd most important trade commodity in tropics after oil Remedies against malaria, body paint, and more

Cycadacea

Division: Cycadophyta EX: Sago Palm Cycas revoluta HIGHLY TOXIC - cycasin causes liver failure and neurological damage at high doses

Poaceae

Grass Family Highly specialized flowers. Economic Importance: grains, cereals, Sugar Cane, Citronella, Fibers WIND POLINATED

Lauraceae

Laurel Family Several important spices: Cinnamon Camphor Sassafras Trees Sweet Bay

Fabaceae

Legume Family Third largest of flowering plant families. 13,000 members Many important crop plants. Peas Beans Peanuts

Liliaceae

Lily Family Approximately 4,550 members. Economic Importance: Asparagus Sarsaparilla Aloe----HEALS BURNS AND SCARS Onions and Garlic Ornamental Flowers

Malvaceae

Mallow Family Found almost everywhere, but most abundant in tropics - Alternate leaves, typically palmately lobed - Funnel-shaped flowers with 5 separate petals - Stamens fused as column around pistil Have slimy quality (why most aren't eaten) Cacao, cotton, okra, hibiscus

Aceraceae

Maple family -- only 1 genus all maples are oppisite branched Sap-- can come from its phloem= syrup

Brassicaceae

Mustard Family Also called Cruciferae Flowers in 4's arranged in a cross Many food crops Brassica sp. = Turnips, Kohlrabi, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Rapeseed Raphanus sativa = Radish

Solanaceae

Nightshade Family Fused corolla (petals) Fruit with 2 locules Belladonna drug complex. Atropine Scopalamine Capsicum Jimson Weed Tobacco Tomatoes

Orchidaceae

Orchid Family Very large family with ~35,000 species. Flowers are highly varied in size and form Specialized pollination mechanisms IE Vanilla

Arecaceae

Palms Large economic importance Fruits (dates), wood, syrup, palm wine, wax

Pinaceae

Pine Family needle-like leaves Economical and Ecologically Impt. Members of the Pinaceae Family provide most of the world's soft timber! They also provide goods such as pulpwood, naval stores (Tar, Amber pitch and Turpentine), essential oils and other forest products.

Bromeliaceae

Pineapples, many are epiphyte

Papaveraceae

Poppy Family Most member species are herbs distributed throughout the temperate and subtropical regions north of the equator. Opium Poppies Morphine and Codeine Heroin Papaverine and Noscapine

Cucurbitaceae

Pumpkin Family Includes many important edible plants Pumpkins, Winter Squash, Summer Squash, Cucumbers, Cantaloupes, Melons

Rosaceae

Rose Family Includes more than 3,000 species. Family is subdivided into subfamilies on the basis of flower structure and fruits. Enormous economic impact. Garden Ornamentals Fragrances Rose Hips are very high in Vitamin C

Euphorobiaceae

Spurge Family Often with a milky white latex Several economically important plants. Cassava Para Rubber Tree

Lamiaceae

Square stems that are square in cross section, Opposite leaves Bilaterally symmetrical flowers. Used in cooking Aromatic Oils are economically important Menthol

Asteraceae

Sunflower Family Second largest flowering plant family. Individual flowers - disk & ray florets.

Cactaceae

The Cactus Family Potentially more than 1,500 species. Most occur in dry, subtropical regions. Usually showy flowers. Most have edible fruit

Juglandaceae

Walnut family (Juglans) walnuts Also known as the Hickory Family (Carya) Pecans, hickory