Download ARECACEAE

ARECACEAE
THE PALM FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Parallel veined
• Large
• Compound
• Alternate
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Monocots
Peach Palm (Bactris gasipaes)
Woody shrubs or trees comprising about 85 genera and 2,800 species
Leaves large, alternate, with a petiole, and palmately or pinnately compound, lacking
stipules
Inflorescence is usually a panicle and is typically with one or more bracts or spathes
Flowers are actinomorphic, generally small, and are bisexual or more often unisexual.
• Perianth usually consists of two whorls of 3 distinct or connate segments each,
often distinguished primarily by size, the outer series or calyx being the smaller.
Androecium consists typically of 6 distinct stamens in two whorls of 3 each but
sometimes comprises up to several hundred variously connate or adnate stamens.
Gynoecium is syncarpous or apocarpous.
• Syncarpous forms consist of a single compound pistil of usually 3 carpels, 1 or 3
styles, and a superior ovary with 3 locules, each containing a single basal, axile,
or apical ovule.
• Apocarpous forms consist of usually 3 simple pistils, each with a superior ovary
containing one locule with a single basal to apical ovule.
Fruit is usually a drupe.
Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera), Peach Palm (Bactris
gasipaes)
Coconut (Cocos nucifera)
Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
CYCLANTHACEAE
The Leaves are:
• Parallel veined
• Coming to the midrib
• Simple or compound
• Alternate
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Monocots
Shrubs, or herbs
Sphaeradenia alleniana
Stem contains watery or milky juice
Leaves alternate; spiral (usually), or distichous; with a petiole; sheathing; simple, or
compound; when compound palmate and “palm-like”
Inflorescences terminal, or axillary; pedunculate, unbranched, long-cylindrical to
subspherical spadices, with rather few to very numerous flowers;
Flowers small, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, lacking a peduncle
• Perianth of ‘tepals’; 4; free, or joined
Androecium consists of 10-20 stamens
Gynoecium has 4 carpels, syncarpous, ovary is partly inferior, or inferior and 1locular.
• Styles 1, or 4; free to partially joined.
• Stigmas 4; laterally compressed, or flat
• Placentation parietal or apical
Fruit fleshy; indehiscent; a berry
A typical Cyclanthaceae inflorescence
BROMELIACEAE
THE PINEAPPLE FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Parallel veined
• Simple
• Alternate
• Spiny margins
Most are epiphytes
Ananas comosus – Pineapple
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Monocots
Epiphytic herbs or sometimes terrestrial xerophytes comprising about 45 genera and
2,000 species
Have conspicuous floral bracts and scurfy, stalked, peltate scales on the leaves and
other plant surfaces.
Leaves are alternate, parallel-veined, with a sheathing base and commonly with spiny
margins, lacking stipules
Flowers are usually bisexual and actinomorphic but unisexual and weakly
zygomorphic forms are known.
• Perianth is in two dissimilar series, each with 3 distinct segments, forming a basal
rosette
• Calyx is usually green but not uncommonly petaloid and variously brightly
colored.
• Corolla is typically brightly colored and often the segments bear a pair of basal,
sometimes nectariferous scales.
Androecium consists mostly of 6 stamens that are distinct or basally connate, and
attach to the receptacle or are adnate to the base of the corolla
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 3 carpels, one style with 3
stigmas, and a superior to inferior ovary with 3 locules, each containing usually
numerous axile ovules
Fruit is usually a berry or capsule
Pineapple (Ananas comosus), Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)
Tillandsia usneoides – Spanish moss
Aechmea fasciata – Urn plant
COMMELINACEAE
THE SPIDERWORT FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Parallel veined
• Simple
• Alternate
• Somewhat succulent
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Monocots
Herbs, often somewhat succulent comprising about 50 genera and 700 species
Inflorescences are cymose and sometimes subtended by a boat-shaped spathe.
Leaves are alternate, simple, parallel-veined, and usually with a closed sheathing
base.
Flowers are bisexual and actinomorphic or commonly slightly to strongly
zygomorphic
• Perianth is in two usually differentiated series
• Calyx is usually of 3 distinct herbaceous sepals
• Corolla is usually of 3 equal or sometimes unequal, distinct, deliquescent petals.
Androecium typically comprises 6 distinct stamens but commonly 3 or sometimes
more are reduced to staminodes.
Gynoecium consists of a single simple pistil of 3 carpels, a single style and a superior
ovary containing 3 or occasionally by abortion only 2 locules, each containing 1-few
axile ovules.
Fruit is usually a loculicidal capsule or is sometimes indehiscent.
COSTACEAE
The Leaves are:
• Parallel veined
• Simple
• Alternate
Spiral growth habit
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Monocots
Note the spiral growth habit
Herbs
Leaves alternate; petiolate, or sessile; sheathing. Leaves without marked odor; simple;
Plants hermaphrodite. Floral nectaries present. Nectar secretion from the gynoecium
(from septal nectaries, often two well developed and one reduced). Entomophilous, or
cheiropterophilous.
Flowers solitary, or aggregated in ‘inflorescences’. The terminal inflorescence unit
cymose. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary. zygomorphic
o Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 6; free; 2 whorled
o Calyx 3; 1 whorled
o Corolla 3; 1 whorled
Androecium 1 or 6, free of the perianth; united with the gynoecium, free of one
another
o Stamens 1; petaloid.
Gynoecium 3 carpelled.
o Pistil (1) 3 celled. Gynoecium syncarpous; eu-syncarpous; inferior. Ovary
(1)3 locular. Epigynous disk often present.
o Styles 1; apical.
o Stigmas 1
Fruit fleshy, or non-fleshy; dehiscent, or indehiscent; a capsule, or a nut, or capsularindehiscent, or achene-like
Costus barbatus
ORCHIDACEAE
THE ORCHID FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Parallel veined
• Simple
• Alternate, sometimes opposite
Fleshy white roots
Most are epiphytic
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Monocots
Terrestrial, epiphytic, or saprophytic herbs with pseudobulbs, comprising one of the
two largest families of flowering plants with about 1,000 genera and 15-20,000
species
Leaves are alternate or seldom opposite or whorled and have a sheathing base and an
entire, often fleshy, parallel-veined blade
Flowers are typically zygomorphic and bisexual but sometimes are virtually
actinomorphic and rarely are unisexual
• Perianth consists of 6 tepals in two similar or dissimilar whorls
• Outer whorl of 3 distinct or variously connate tepals is sometimes sepaloid
• Inner two whorl of 3 tepals are alike and may be quite similar to the outer tepals
• Third tepal of the inner whorl forms a labellum that typically is highly modified in
shape and or coloration.
Androecium and gynoecium are nearly always adnate into a column
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 3 carpels that together with the
androecium comprises the column in most species. The stigma is just proximal to the
single terminal stamen in most species. The stigma is two- or three-lobed and the
ovary is inferior and almost always has 1 locule with very numerous, up to several
million, very tiny parietal ovules.
Fruit is mostly capsular.
Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)
Note the pseudo bulb
Vanilla
ZINGIBERACEAE
THE GINGER FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Parallel veined
• Simple
• Alternate
• Spicy smell when
leaves crushed
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Curcuma cordata
Monocots
Perennial herbs mostly with rhizomous or tuberous roots about 47 genera and 1,000
species
Leaves are simple, entire, alternate and 2-ranked, with strongly ascending veins
Flowers are bisexual, strongly zygomorphic, and showy, subtended by a sheathing
bract
• Perianth is in two whorls, an herbaceous or membranous 3-lobed or spathaceous
tubular calyx and a petaloid tubular corolla with 3 lobes.
Androecium typically consists of 1 fertile stamen, a large opposing petaloid labellum
representing 2 connate staminodia, and two smaller flanking petaloid staminodia.
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 3 carpels, a single style nestled in
a channel of the filament and anther of the fertile stamen and an inferior ovary with
typically 3 locules, each containing numerous axile ovules.
Fruit is a loculicidal capsule or is berrylike and brightly colored.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Turmeric (Curcuma domestica),
Ginger Flowers
HELICONIACEAE
The Leaves are:
• Parallel veined
• Simple
• Alternate
• Lack joints in the petiole
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Monocots
Large, erect herbs (from 75–700 cm tall)
Perennial; with a basal aggregation of leaves, or with neither basal nor terminal
aggregations of leaves; cormous.
Leaves simple, alternate; distichous; long petiolate; sheathing.
Plants with silica bodies (rectangular, in associaton with the vascular bundles).
Plants hermaphrodite. Floral nectaries present. Nectar secretion from the
gynoecium
Flowers aggregated in ‘inflorescences’; in panicles.
o The terminal inflorescence unit cymose (monochasial).
o Flowers bracteate (the floral bracts smaller and thinner than the cincinnal
bracts); very irregular;
o Strongly zygomorphic
o Perianth of ‘tepals’; 6; joined ;2 whorled; isomerous; petaloid
Androecium 6.
o Androecial members free of the perianth; free of one another
o Stamens 5; reduced in number relative to the adjacent perianth.
Gynoecium 3 carpelled.
o Gynoecium syncarpous, inferior.
o Ovary 3 locular. Gynoecium stylate.
Heliconiaceae Flowers
o Styles 1
o Stigmas 1, or 3
o Placentation basal to axile.
o Ovules 1 per locule
Fruit fleshy; a schizocarp.
MARANTACEAE
The Leaves are:
• Parallel veined
• Simple
• Alternate
• Joint in the petiole
• Distinctive tearing sound
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Monocots
Calathea lietzei
Herbs, or lianas
Leaves simple, alternate; distichous, petiolate
Plants hermaphrodite. Floral nectaries present.
Flowers aggregated in ‘inflorescences’; in cymes. The terminal inflorescence unit
cymose.
Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 6; (sepals free, petals joined); 2 whorled
o Calyx 3; 1 whorled
o Corolla 3; 1 whorled.
Androecium (3–)4–5.
o Stamens 1; reduced in number relative to the adjacent perianth; petaloid.
Gynoecium 3 carpelled.
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The pistil (1–)3 celled
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Gynoecium syncarpous; inferior
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Ovary 3 locular
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Styles 1; free; apical
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Placentation axile to basal
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Ovules 1 per locule.
Fruit fleshy, or non-fleshy; dehiscent (usually), or indehiscent; a capsule (usually), or
capsular-indehiscent, or a berry.
Calathea crotalifera
ARACEAE
THE AROID FAMILY
The Leaves are
• Broad netted venation
• Connected by parallel veins
• Simple
• Alternate
Milky sap
Spadix and spathe
Epiphytes, vines, or terrestrial
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Anthurium sp. – note the spadix
Monocots
Rhizomatous or tuberous herbs in the soil, as vines, or as epiphytes comprising about
110 genera and 1,800 species
Calcium oxalate crystals or raphides
Commonly with milky sap.
Leaves are alternate, simple or compound, with a petiole, sometimes very large, and
usually with a sheathing base.
Inflorescence is a fleshy spike or spadix subtended or commonly partially enveloped
by a bract or spathe which is sometimes petaloid or brightly colored.
Flowers are tiny and actinomorphic, bisexual or unisexual, and are sessile or
sometimes embedded in the floral axis
• Perianth is nearly always absent in unisexual flowers but in bisexual flowers
typically consists of 4-6 small, undifferentiated tepals that are free or connate.
Androecium of a typical male flower usually consists of 2, 4, or 8 distinct or
variously connate stamens that are opposite the tepals when these are present.
Gynoecium of a typical female flower consists of a single compound pistil of mostly
3 but up to 15 carpels, a single style, and a superior ovary with sometimes one locule
and 1-numerous parietal ovules or more frequently 3 or more locules, each with 1numerous axile-apical to axile-basal ovules.
Fruit is a berry.
Taro Leaves
Taro (Colocasia esculenta), Philodendron,
Jack in the pulpit, Elephant’s Ear
FABACEAE
THE BEAN, MIMOSA, AND ACACIA FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Net-veined
• Usually compound
• Alternate
• With a beany smell
Form pods
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Dicot
Mimosa Flower
Mostly herbs but include also vines, shrubs and trees found in both temperate and
tropical areas numbering some 400 genera and 10,000 species
Leaves are stipulate, nearly always alternate, and range from pinnately or palmately
compound to simple.
Flowers are slightly to strongly perigynous, zygomorphic, and commonly in racemes,
spikes, or heads
• Perianth commonly consists of a calyx and corolla of 5 segments each
• Petals are overlapping (imbricate) in bud with the posterior petal (called the
banner or flag) outermost (i.e., exterior) in position. The petals are basically
distinct except for variable connation of the two lowermost ones called the keel
petals. The lateral petals are often called the wings.
Androecium most commonly consists of 10 stamens in two groups (i.e., they are
diadelphous with 9 stamens in one bundle and the 10th stamen more or less distinct).
The pistil is simple, comprising a single style and stigma, and a superior ovary with
one locule containing 2-many marginal ovules.
Fruit is a legume.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Soybean (Glycine max),
Lentil (Lens culinaris), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Bean (Phaseolus),
Pea (Pisum sativum), Clover (Trifolium)
Phaseolus sp.
Typical Acacia flower - Acacia pravissima
CLUSIACEAE
THE ST. JOHN’S WORT FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Net-veined
• Simple
• Opposite or whorled
Milky or colored sap
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Dicot
Hypericum Flower
Trees or shrubs comprising about 50 genera and 1200 species
Milky or colored sap
Leaves are simple and are opposite, whorled, or rarely alternate. Stipules are absent.
Flowers are actinomorphic and are usually functionally unisexual
• Perianth consists of a calyx of 2-10 imbricated, often decussate sepals and 4-12
petals
Stamens are generally numerous and are distinct or variously united.
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 3-5 or more carpels, an equal
number of stigmas, and a superior ovary of 3-5 or more locules, each containing 1many axile ovules.
Fruit is usually a capsule or berry.
St. John’s Wort Plant
Clusia grandiflora
MELASTOMATACEAE
The Leaves are:
• Net-veined
• Prominent parallel veins
• Compound
• Opposite
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Dicot
Melastomataceae Leaves
Herbs, shrubs, or trees comprising about 200 genera and 4,000 species
Major leaf veins usually 3-9 palmate and running in a parallel fashion from the base
of the blade to near the leaf tip
Leaves are opposite and decussate or rarely alternate by abortion of one of the
members of a pair; stipules are absent
Flowers are bisexual and actinomorphic to rather zygomorphic, at least with respect
to the androecium and style
• Perianth is biseriate, arising from a perigynous or epigynous zone
• Calyx most commonly consists of 5 valvate sepals but these may be coalesced
into a hoodlike calyptra
• Corolla commonly has 5 distinct petals.
Androecium most often consist of two whorls, each with the stamens equaling the
number of petals but rarely has only one whorl or numerous stamens. The stamens
may be dimorphic but the functional ones are typically claw-like, commonly with
knee-like joints and appendaged anthers that open usually by terminal pores.
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of mostly 4-14 carpels, a single style
and stigma, and a superior or more commonly inferior ovary mostly with 4-14 locules
and very numerous axile ovules.
Fruit is a capsule or berry.
Typical Melastomataceae Flower
Melastomataceae Leaves
RUBIACEAE
THE COFFEE FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Net-veined
• Simple
• Opposite,
decussate
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Dicot
Trees, shrubs, or infrequently herbs comprising about 450 genera and 6,500 species
Leaves are simple and usually entire, and are opposite (rarely whorled); stipules are
present and interpetiolar.
Flowers are nearly always bisexual and actinomorphic, often heterostylous, and
usually are in cymose inflorescences
• Calyx is mostly somewhat reduced and 4-5-lobed or sometimes the lobes are
obsolete or rarely one of them greatly expanded and brightly colored
• Corolla is sympetalous and mostly 4-5-lobed, occasionally with 3 or up to 10
lobes.
Androecium consists of as many stamens as corolla lobes and is adnate to the corolla
tube or epigynous zone, alternate with the lobes.
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 2 or seldom more carpels, a single
style, and a nearly always inferior ovary with the number of locules equaling the
number of carpels, each with 1-many axile ovules.
Epigynous nectary disk is usually present.
Fruit is variable, sometimes forming multiples
Coffee (Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora), quinine (Cinchona)
Coffee Plant
PIPERACEAE
THE PEPPER FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Net-veined, 1° veins
prominent, follow margins
• Peppery smell when crushed
• Simple, alternate
Swollen nodes
Flower a spike
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Piper betle
Fleshy herbs, soft shrubs, and infrequently small comprising 10 genera and 1,400 to
2,000 species
Nodes are commonly swollen or jointed.
Leaves are alternate, stipules are adnate to petiole or absent.
Flowers are bisexual, or less commonly unisexual and minute, lack perianth and
usually are densely packed into rat-tail like spikes
• Flower is associated with a peltate, umbrella-like bract.
Androecium consists of 1-10 stamens. The compound pistil has a superior ovary and
consists of 1-5 carpels with a single locule and a solitary basal ovule.
Fruit is a berry or fleshy drupe
Pepper (Piper)
Piper nigrum
BIGNONIACEAE
THE JACARANDA FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Net-veined
• Compound
• Opposite or whorled
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Dicot
African Tulip Tree
Tropical trees, shrubs, or vines comprising about 100 genera and 800 species
Large, showy flowers and are often lianous
Leaves are nearly always opposite or whorled and are most commonly pinnately
compound or more than once compound; stipules are absent
Flowers are bisexual and zygomorphic. The synsepalous calyx usually has 5 teeth or
lobes
Corolla is sympetalous and usually has 5 teeth or lobes and is sometimes 2-lipped.
Androecium consists most commonly of 4 didynamous stamens that are attached to
the corolla tube or epigynous zone, alternate with the lobes.
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 2 carpels, a single style, and a
superior ovary with typically 2 locules, each bearing numerous axile ovules. An
annular or cupular nectary disk is usually found around the base of the ovary
Fruit is usually capsular or a berry
Calabash - Crescentia cujete
ANACARDIACEAE
The Leaves are:
• Net-veined
• Simple or trifoliolate
• Alternate
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Dicot
Trees or vines
Mango Tree
The family contains resin and resin canals.
Leaves are pinnately compound or trifoliate (rarely simple) and alternate (rarely
opposite). Stipules are lacking.
Flowers are actinomorphic and perfect or unisexual.
o Inflorescence a panicle of small flowers. Hypogynous, perigynous or
epigynous.
Fruit a berry or drupe. Seeds are single with no endosperm present.
o Placentation is axile.
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), Mango (Mangifera indica), Pepper Tree (Schinus
molle), Pistachio (Pistacia vera), Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Mombin
(Spondias spp.)
Purple mombin (dry season)
Cashew
ASTERACEAE
THE DAISY FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Net-veined
• Compound
• Opposite or alternate
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Dicot
Tragopogon pratensis
Herbs, shrubs, or less commonly trees, vines and are arguably the largest family
of flowering plants, comprising about 1,100 genera and 20,000 species
Flowers reduced and organized into an involucrate pseudanthium in the form of a
head or capitulum.
Leaves are alternate, opposite, or less commonly whorled, and range from simple
to pinnately or palmately compound; stipules are absent
Flowers are of two basic types: those with tubular actinomorphic corollas and
those with strap-shaped or radiate zygomorphic corollas, often within the same
head. Either type may be bisexual or unisexual.
o The corolla is sympetalous with mostly 3-5 lobes.
The androecium nearly always consists of 4 or 5 stamens that are united by their
anthers and are adnate to the corolla tube or epigynous zone, alternate with the
lobes.
The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 2 carpels, a single 2-cleft
style, and an inferior ovary with one locule and one basal ovule.
Fruit is an achene which may have a persistent pappus that commonly functions
in fruit dispersal.
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), Globe Artichoke
(Cynara cardunculus), Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), Tarragon
(Artemisia dracunculus), Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), Endive (Cichorium)
CACTACEAE
THE CACTUS FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Extremely reduced
• Thorny or absent
• Alternate, if
present
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Dicot
Prickly Pear
Spiny succulents with photosynthetic stems comprising 30-200 genera and 1,000 to
2,000 species
Herbs or epiphytes
Leaves are alternate, generally extremely reduced and ephemeral or absent, or rarely
they are well developed and fleshy. Have highly modified axillary buds or shoots
called areoles that bear spines.
Flowers are mostly bisexual and actinomorphic and are solitary, large and showy
Androecium typically consists of a very large number of stamens arising from the
inner face of the epigynous zone.
Gynoecium consists of a compound pistil of 3-many carpels, an equal number of
stigmas, and an equal number of parietal placentae with numerous ovules in the single
locule of the inferior ovary.
Fruit is a berry, often with spines or bristles
Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)
Pithaya
SOLANACEAE
THE NIGHTSHADE FAMILY
The Leaves are:
• Net-veined
• Alternate
• Simple
Usually a vine
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Dicot
Herbs, shrubs, or trees comprising about 85 genera and 2,800 species
Frequently lianous or creeping
Leaves are alternate, usually simple, and lack stipules
Flowers are bisexual and actinomorphic or only slightly zygomorphic
o Perianth and androecium whorls generally are isomerous and usually are 5- or
sometimes 4- or 6-merous
o Calyx is synsepalous, ranging from tubular to deeply cleft
o Corolla is sympetalous and ranges from forms with a short tube and rather
long, reflexed lobes to forms with a long tube and short lobes
Stamens are distinct, alternating with the lobes of the corolla, and adnate to the
corolla tube or perigynous zone
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 2 carpels, a single style, and a
superior ovary with 2 or rarely more locules by false partitioning, each with nearly
always numerous axile ovules
Nectary disk is generally present around the base of the ovary
Fruit is a berry or septicidal capsule.
Chili Pepper (Capsicum annum), Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), Tobacco,
Potato (Solanum tuberosum), Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
POACEAE
THE GRASS FAMILY
The Leaves Are:
• Parallel Veined
• Alternate
• 2-ranked
Hollow Stems
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Monocot
Mostly herbs comprising one of the largest families of flowering plants with about
500 genera and 8,000 species
Stems are round and commonly hollow, at least in the internodes
Leaves are alternate, and commonly 2-ranked, proximally comprising an open
sheathing base with overlapping margins
Inflorescence is called a spikelet typically consisting of a basal pair of minute sterile
bracts called glumes and one or more distichously arranged distal florets on an often
zigzag extension of the spikelet axis called the rachilla.
o Each floret is typically embraced by an additional pair of minute chaffy bracts
called the lemma and the palea
o Florets are unisexual or bisexual and have usually two or three barely
recognizable structures called
Androecium typically consists of three or occasionally 6 distinct stamens
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 2 or sometimes 3 carpels, an equal
number of styles with feathery stigmas, and a superior ovary with one locule
containing a single subapical to basal ovule
Fruit is usually a caryopsis
Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum), Corn (Zea mays), Bamboo (Bambusa spp.,
Phyllostachys spp.)
CUCURBITACEAE
THE CUCUMBER FAMILY
The Leaves Are:
• Net-Veined
• Alternate
• Palmately Lobed
Usually Vines
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Dicot
Mostly prostrate or climbing herbaceous annuals comprising about 90 genera and 700
species
Characterized by commonly having 5-angled stems and coiled tendrils
Leaves are alternate and usually palmately 5-lobed or divided; stipules are absent
Flowers are actinomorphic and nearly always unisexual
O Perianth has a short to prolonged epigynous zone that bears a calyx of 3-6
segments or lobes and 3-6 petals or more frequently a 3-6-lobed
sympetalous corolla
Androecium is highly variable, consisting of basically 5 distinct to completely
connate stamens that frequently are twisted, folded or reduced in number
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 2-5 carpels, generally with one
style
Fruit is a type of berry called a pepo
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Zucchini, Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)
MALVACEAE
THE COTTON FAMILY
The Leaves Are:
• Net-Veined
• Alternate
• Simple
• Palmately Veined
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Dicot
Herbs, shrubs, or trees comprising about 75 genera and perhaps as many as 1,500
species
Presence of stellate hairs and mucilaginous sap
Leaves are alternate, simple, and usually palmately veined; stipules are present
Flowers are almost always bisexual and actinomorphic
Perianth consists of 5 valvate, distinct or basally connate sepals and 5 distinct petals
that are usually basally adnate to the androecium
Androecium consists of very numerous monadelphous stamens with apically
divergent filaments bearing 1-celled anthers
Gynoecium is a single compound pistil of 2-many carpels, an equal number of styles
or style branches, and a superior ovary with 2-many locules, each bearing 1-numerous
ovules
Fruit is a loculicidal capsule, schizocarp, berry, or samara
Cotton (Gossypium sp.), Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), Hibiscus (Hibiscus sp.)
CONVOLVULACEAE
THE MORNING GLORY FAMILY
The Leaves Are:
• Net-Veined
• Alternate
• Simple
With Milky Sap
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Dicot
Mostly twining herbs or shrubs, sometimes with milky sap, comprising about 85
genera and 2,800 species
Characterized by almost always having the flowers solitary or in terminal or axillary
dichasia
Leaves are simple, though sometimes lobed to pinnatisect, and alternate; stipules are
absent
Flowers are actinomorphic, often showy, and nearly always bisexual
Perianth and androecial whorls are 5-merous
O Sepals of the calyx are usually distinct but the corolla is strongly sympetalous,
plaited, and often rotate or trumpet shaped with inconspicuous lobes
O Stamens are often unequal, and are adnate to the base of the corolla tube and
alternate with the lobes
Gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 2 or rarely up to 5 carpels, usually
an unbranched or 2-cleft style, and a superior ovary of 2 or sometimes up to 5 locules,
each with 1 or 2 axile ovules
Prominent annular nectary disk is usually present around the base of the ovary
Fruit is usually a loculicidal capsule
Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas), Morning Glory (Ipomoea sp.)
GLOSSARY
EPIPHYTE - a plant that derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and
grows usually on another plant
LEAVES
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BRACT - A leaflike or scalelike plant part, usually small, sometimes showy or brightly
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PALMATE - Having three or more veins, leaflets, or lobes radiating from one point;
colored, and located just below a flower, a flower stalk, or an inflorescence
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digitate
PANICLE - A branched cluster of flowers in which the branches are racemes
PEDUNCLE - a stalk bearing a flower or flower cluster or a fructification
PELTATE - having the stem or support attached to the lower surface instead of at the
base or margin
PETIOLE - The stalk by which a leaf is attached to a stem
PINNATE - having parts or branches arranged on each side of a common axis
SUCCULENT - having fleshy tissues that conserve moisture
TRIFOLIOLATE - having three leaflets
FLOWER
• ACTINOMORPHIC - Capable of being divided into equal halves along any diameter
• ZYGOMORPHIC - Bilaterally symmetrical
• PERIANTH - The outer envelope of a flower, consisting of either the calyx or the
corolla, or both.
• CALYX - The sepals of a flower considered as a group
• SEPAL - One of the separate, usually green parts forming the calyx of a flower
• SPATHE - A leaflike bract that encloses or subtends a flower cluster or spadix
• SYMPETALOUS - having the corolla composed of united petals
• PETAL - One of the often brightly colored parts of a flower immediately surrounding
the reproductive organs; a division of the corolla.
• TEPAL - A division of the perianth of a flower having a virtually indistinguishable
calyx and corolla, as in tulips and lilies
• COROLLA - The petals of a flower considered as a group or unit and usually of a color
other than green; the inner whorl of the perianth
REPRODUCTIVE PARTS
• ANDROECIUM – The male reprductive organs in a flower; the stamens of a flower
considered as a group
• GYNOECIUM - The female reproductive organs of a flower; the pistil or pistils
considered as a group.
• SYNCARPOUS – united carpels
• APOCARPOUS – free carpels
FRUITS
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ACHENE - a dry, indehiscent, one- or two-seeded fruit, with generally thin pericarp loosely
attached to the seed(s). Ex: sunflower.
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BERRY - a fleshy, indehiscent fruit with more-or-less homogeneous texture
throughout; One- to many-seeded. Ex: grape.
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CAPSULE - a dry, dehiscent, one- to many-seeded fruit from a compound ovary.
Subcategories organized by dehiscence: circumscissile, loculicidal, septicidal,
poricidal. Often irregularly shaped. Ex: okra.
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DRUPE - a fleshy, indehiscent, usually one-seeded fruit with a hard, woody endocarp
surrounding the seed. Ex: peach.
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FOLLICLE - a dry, dehiscent, simple, one- to many-seeded fruit dehiscing via only
one suture. Ex: magnolia.
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LEGUME - (syn. pod) - a dry, dehiscent, simple, one- to many-seeded fruit, with
dehiscence via 2 sutures. Ex: bean.
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NUT - a dry, indehiscent, one-seeded (usually) fruit with a hard exterior. Ex: walnut.
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POME - a fleshy, indehiscent fruit from an inferior, compound ovary, generally
having a cartilaginous endocarp. Ex: apple.
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SAMARA - A dry, indehiscent, winged fruit. Ex: maple
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ANNALS OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN 85: 531-553