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
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
Cupressaceae
Cypress and Juniper
Apiaceae
Dill, Celery, Carrot, Parsley, Coriander & Cilantro Many deadly species Hemlock
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 FenugreekLicoriceTamarind
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 Chili Peppers 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 apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats, almonds, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, sloes, and roses 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, MINT, Rosemary, peppermint, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, lavender 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
Myrtaceae
allspice, cloves
Piperaceae
black/white pepper
Anacardiaceae
cashew, mango, poison ivy, poison oak, Peruvian pepper and cuachalalate. pistachio
Zingiberaceae
ginger, turmeric, cardamom
Myristicaceae
nutmeg and mace
Amaryllidaceae
onion, chives, garlic
Pistacia
pistachio