The Families of Angiosperms

The system which we shall follow here for the classification of Angiosperms is that proposed by Wettstein (1924) Classification position of some selected Angiosperm families which wse shall study is as follows:

Class1: Dicotyledoneae
Embryo with two cotyledons

Subclass1: Dialypetalae
Perianth differentiated into calyx and corolla Order: Rhoedales Family: Cruciferae Order: Columniflorae (Malvales) Family: Malvaceae Order: Geraniales Family: Geraniaceae Family: Euphorbiaceae Order: Leguminosae Family: Mimosaceae Family: Cesalpiniaceae Family: Papilionaceae (Fabaceae) Order: Umbelliflorae Family: Umbelliferae (Apiaceae)

Subclass 2. Monochlamydeae
Perianth undifferentiated or absent Order: Centrospermae Family: Chenopodiaceae Family: Caryophyllaceae Family: Nyctaginaceae
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Subclass 3. Sympetalae
Perianth of united parts, at least the corolla Order: Tubiflorae Family: Convolvulaceae Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) Order: Peronatae Family: Solanaceae Family: Scrophulariaceae Family: Bignoniaceae Oder: Contortae Family: Apocynaceae Order: Synandrae Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) Order: Cucurbitales Family: Cucurbitaceae

Class2: Monocotyledoneae
Embryo with one cotyledon Order: Glumiflorae (Graminales) Family: Poaceae (Graminae) Order: Cyperales Family: Cyperaceae Order: Spadiciflorae Family: Araceae (Palmae) Order: Liliflorae Family: Liliaceae Family: Amaryllidaceae Family: Iridaceae

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Class1: Dicotyledoneae
Embryo with two cotyledons

Subclass1: Dialypetalae
Perianth differentiated into calyx and corolla

Order: Rhoedales 1. Family: Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) - The Mustard Family

Diversity: A large family with over 3,000 species in about 350 genera, allherbaceous, many weedy annuals, but also perennials and biannuals.

Distribution: Throughout temperate parts of the World with maximum diversity in the Mediterranean. Habit and leaf form Herbs, or shrubs , or lianas . Annual, biennial, and perennial. climbing. When shrubby, often pachycaul. Hydrophytic, helophytic, mesophytic, and xerophytic. Leaves minute to very large; alternate; spiral , or distichous ; fleshy , or herbaceous; petiolate, or subsessile, or sessile or compound; when compound, pinnate. Lamina when simple, dissected to entire; when simple-dissected, pinnatifid, or runcinate; oneveined , or pinnately veined; cross-venulate. Leaves exstipulate. Lamina margins entire, or serrate, or dentate.

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Inflorescence and flower Flowers aggregated in inflorescences , or solitary; in corymbs, or in racemes, or in spikes, or in fascicles. The terminal inflorescence unit racemose. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla, or sepaline; 8 , or 4; characteristically 3 whorled (K 2+2 decussate with the outer pair median, C4, the corolla diagonal), or 2 whorled. Calyx 2 whorled. Corolla 4 (diagonal); 1 whorled; polypetalous; imbricate, or contorted; regular ; white, or yellow, or orange, or purple, or blue. Petals clawed , or sessile . Androecium 6 , or 24, or 816 . free of one another, or coherent (the inner four sometimes basally connate in pairs); 2 whorled (usually, 2+4), or 1 whorled. Androecium exclusively of fertile stamens. Stamens 6 , or 24, or 816 ; tetradynamous . Gynoecium 2 carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous; eu-syncarpous; superior. Ovary 12 locular. Stigmas 12; commissural,1 lobed, or 2 lobed. Placentation when unilocular, parietal. Fruit non-fleshy; dehiscent , or indehiscent dehiscent, valvular. Geography, cytology. Frigid zone to tropical. Cosmopolitan, concentrated in the North temperate and Mediterranean. X = 512(+). Common Plants Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (cauliflower). Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera (Brussels sprouts). Brassica nigra (Black mustard) Eruca sativa
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or a schizocarp or lomentaceous

Mericarps when schizocarpic, 2. Fruit a silicula to a siliqua . Capsules when

Raphanus sativus (radish) fleshy roots and pods are used as vegetable Brassica rapa (turnip, fleshy roots) Rorippa indica (watercress) Sinabis alba condiments (mustard) Arabis alpina ornamentals Erysimum repandum (Cheiranthus) Matthiola incana (Stocks)

Order: Columniferae (Malvales) 1. Family: Malvaceae - The Mallow Family

Diversity: A family of 75 genera and over 1,000 species of herbs and shrubs. Distribution: World wide, but most diverse in the tropics. Habit and leaf form Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Mesophytic or xerophytic. Leaves alternate; spiral; petiolate; non-sheathing; simple. Lamina dissected or entire; when dissected, palmatifid; palmately veined; cross-venulate. Leaves usually stipulate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences; in cymes. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose. Inflorescences compound cymose, composed of cincinni. Flowers small to large; regular to somewhat irregular. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 10; 2 whorled; isomerous. Calyx 5; 1 whorled; polysepalous, or gamosepalous; regular; valvate . Epicalyx present. Corolla 5; 1 whorled; polypetalous. Androecium (5)15100 . Androecial members branched . Gynoecium (15(100) carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous; synovarious to synstylovarious; superior. Ovary (15(100) locular. Styles (1)5(20); free to

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partially joined; apical. Stigmas dry type; papillate, or non-papillate. Placentation axile. Ovules 150 per locule. Fruit non-fleshy, or fleshy; dehiscent, or indehiscent, or a schizocarp. Mericarps when schizocarpic, (1)5(100); comprising follicles, or comprising nutlets. Fruit a capsule , or a berry . Capsules loculicidal. Geography, cytology. Cosmopolitan tropical and temperate, also Iceland. X = 6 17(+), 20(+). Common Plants: Gossypium barbadense (Cotton) important for oil and fibers Hibiscus cannabinus (Flax) yields fibres of low quality used for rope manufacture Hibiscus esculentus (okra) capsules a popular vegetable Hibiscus sabdariffa, dried petals and capsules are boiled for preparing a refreshing drink. Malva parviflora, Mallow, leaves used as a vegetable. Althaea rosea, popular ornamental plant

Order: Geraniales 1. Family: Geraniaceae

Diversity: over 700-750 species in about 11 genera. Distribution: .Widespread in the subtropics and temperate regions of both hemispheres and reaching to the arctic and antarctic regions. Habit and leaf form . Herbs or shrubs. Mesophytic or xerophytic. Leaves alternate or opposite; petiolate; simple, or compound; when compound palmate or pinnate. Leaves usually stipulate. Stipules scaly, or leafy, or spiny. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences (usually); in cymes, or in umbels. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary, or leaf-

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opposed. Flowers bracteolate; small. Flowers usually 5 merous; cyclic; tetracyclic to polycyclic. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 5, or (7)10; 2 whorled , or 1 whorled. Calyx 5; 1 whorled; polysepalous, or gamosepalous. Calyx regular, or unequal but not bilabiate; impricate. Corolla (2)5; 1 whorled; polypetalous; imbricate, or contorted. Androecium 5, or 10, or 15 (1, 2 or 3 times). 1 adelphous, or 5 adelphous. Stamens 5, or 10, or 15. Gynoecium 5 carpelled. Ovary 5 locular. Styles 1. Stigmas 5. Placentation axile. Ovules 1 per locule, or 2 per locule. Fruit non-fleshy; a schizocarp. Mericarps 5. Geography, cytology. Cosmopolitan. X = 714. Common Plants Pelargonium zonale Erodium sp Pelargonium graveolens Geranium molle

2. Family: Euphorbiaceae - The Spurge Family

Diversity: One of the largest (ca. 300 genera with over 7,500 species) most diverse dicot families. It includes a wide range of flowering plant structural, herbs including cactus-like stem succulents, shrubs, and trees. Distribution: Worldwide with centers of diversity in both temperate and tropical areas.

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Habit and leaf form . Trees, or shrubs, or herbs, or lianas. Plants succulent, or nonsucculent. Self supporting, or climbing. Mesophytic, or xerophytic. Leaves minute to large; alternate, or opposite to whorled; spiral, or distichous; herbaceous, or leathery, or fleshy, or membranous, or modified into spines; petiolate to sessile. Lamina entire; pinnately veined, or palmately veined. Leaves stipulate Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences. The terminal inflorescence unit nearly always cymose. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary; with involucral bracts. Perianth sepaline, or vestigial, or absent, or petaline ; when present, (356(12); free, or joined; 1 whorled , or 2 whorled . Calyx 5; polysepalous, or gamosepalous; regular. Corolla when present, 5; polypetalous; regular. Androecium 11000 stamens, reduced in number relative to the adjacent perianth to polystemonous; erect in bud, or inflexed in bud. Anthers dehiscing via longitudinal slits Gynoecium (2)3 carpelled, or 430 carpelled ; superior. Styles 3 or 6, free, or partially joined (to almost completely joined, in the Phyllantheae); apical. Stigmas 3, or 6(12). Placentation axile, or apical. Ovules 1 per locule, or 2 per locule. Fruit non-fleshy, or fleshy; dehiscent, or indehiscent, or a schizocarp. Mericarps when schizocarpic, (2)3. Geography, cytology. Temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical. Cosmopolitan, except Arctic. X = 614 (or more). Common Plants Ricinus communis Euphorbia peplus Euphorbia pulcherrima Sapium sebiferum

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Order: Leguminosae
Key to the families of the Leguminosae: 1. Flowers actinomorphic . Mimosaceae 1. Flowers zygomorphic . ...2 2. Perianth showing some connation, the uppermost petal (standard) enclosing the lateral petals (wings) ....Fabaceae 2. Perianth with separate parts, the standard enclosed by the wings .. Caesalpiniaceae

1. Family: Mimosaceae - the Mimosa Family

Diversity: The Mimosaceae includes about 40 genera with ca. 2,000 species, both herbaceous and - mostly - woody. Distribution: Worldwide, but mostly tropical and subtropical with a focus on dry regions, as indicated by the large and typical Genus Acacia . Habit and leaf form. Trees and shrubs, or herbs. The herbs annual, or biennial, or perennial; with neither basal nor terminal aggregations of leaves, or climbing; the climbers scrambling. Helophytic, or mesophytic, or xerophytic.
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Leaves evergreen, or deciduous; small to very large; alternate; spiral, or distichous. Leaves stipulate, or exstipulate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences; in racemes, or in spikes, or in heads. The terminal inflorescence unit racemose. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary. Flowers minute, or small; regular , or somewhat irregular. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 612; 2 whorled; isomerous. Calyx (35( 6); 1 whorled; gamosepalous, or polysepalous; lobulate, or blunt-lobed, or toothed; regular; valvate, or imbricate. Androecium (35(12), or 12100. Androecial members free of the perianth, or adnate, all equal, or markedly unequal; free of one another, or coherent; often 1 adelphous; 1 whorled, or 26 whorled. Anthers separate from one another, or connivent; dehiscing via longitudinal slits; tetrasporangiate. Gynoecium 1 carpelled , or 216 carpelled. Carpel apically stigmatic; 2100 ovuled. Placentation marginal (along the ventral suture). Fruit non-fleshy, or fleshy. The fruiting carpel dehiscent, or indehiscent; a legume , or a follicle, or samaroid, or a loment. Fruit elastically dehiscent, or passively dehiscent. Geography, cytology. Tropical, subtropical and warm temperate. Common Plants Acacia nilotica Albizzia lebbek Acacia farensiana

2. Family: Fabaceae (Papilionaceae)- The Bean or Pea Family

Diversity: This large, diverse (trees, shrubs, and herbs), and important family includes over 400 genera and 10,000 species. This is one of two flowering plant families that became incorporated into agricultural systems as they developed throughout the world.
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Distribution: Worldwide, but most diverse in warm, temperate areas. Habit and leaf form . Trees, or shrubs, or herbs, or lianas. The herbs annual, or biennial, or perennial; Helophytic, or mesophytic, or xerophytic. Leaves evergreen, or deciduous; minute to very large; alternate , or opposite to whorled ; spiral, when compound, as is usual, unifoliolate, or ternate, or pinnate or palmate, or bifoliolate. Leaves stipulate or exstipulate

Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in Inflorescences , or solitary; in panicles, in fascicles, in racemes, in spikes, and in heads. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose, or racemose. Flowers somewhat irregular to very irregular , or regular; usually zygomorphic. Perianth with distinct calyx and, 2 whorled; isomerous, or anisomerous. Calyx 5, or (3-5(6), 1 whorled; usually gamosepalous; unequal but not bilabiate, or bilabiate, or regular; persistent or not persistent; accrescent, or non-accrescent; ascending imbricate. Corolla when present, 5, or 15; 1 whorled. Androecium (5) 910(30), 1 adelphous, or 2 adelphous; even when 10, 1 Stamens (5) 910(30); isomerous with the perianth, or diplostemonous (commonly, more or less), or triplostemonous to polystemonous. Anthers separate from one another to connivent.

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Gynoecium 1 carpelled. Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth. Gynoecium monomerous; of one carpel; superior. Carpel apically stigmatic; (1)2 100 ovuled. Placentation marginal (along the ventral suture). Fruit non-fleshy, or fleshy. The fruiting carpel dehiscent, or indehiscent; a legume , or a follicle, or an achene, or samaroid, or a loment, or drupaceous. Fruit elastically dehiscent, or passively dehiscent. Geography, cytology. Holarctic, Paleotropical, Neotropical, Cape, Australian, and Antarctic. Frigid zone, temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical. Cosmopolitan. Common Plants Cicer arietinum Pisum sativum Arachis hypogaea Lupinus termis Lathyrus odoratus Trifolium alexandrinum Dalbergia sisso Vicia faba Phaseolus vulgaris Lens esculenta Glycin hispida Medicago sativa Melilotus indica

3. Family: Caesalpiniaceae - The Senna Family

Diversity: The Mimosaceae includes about 150 genera with ca. 2,200 species, both herbaceous and - mostly - woody. Distribution: Worldwide, but mostly tropical and subtropical.

Habit and leaf form . Trees, or shrubs, or herbs, or lianas. Mesophytes or xerophytes.

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Leaves evergreen, or deciduous; minute to very large; alternate; spiral, or distichous; herbaceous, or modified into spines; petiolate to subsessile, or sessile. Simple or compound, unifoliolate, or ternate, or pinnate or bipinnate, or bifoliolate. Leaves stipulate, or exstipulate Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in Inflorescences in racemes, or in corymbs. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary. Flowers minute to large; somewhat irregular, or regular; commonly more or less zygomorphic. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla, or sepaline; (3)5, or (6)10(11); 2 whorled; isomerous, or anisomerous. Calyx 5, or (3) 5(6); 1 whorled; polysepalous, or partially gamosepalous, or gamosepalous; unequal but not bilabiate, or bilabiate, or regular; imbricate, or valvate. Corolla (1) 5; 1 whorled; polypetalous, imbricate. Androecium (1) 10, or 1050, free of one another; when cohering 1 adelphous, or 2 adelphous; 1 whorled. Androecium exclusively of fertile stamens, or including staminodes. Stamens (1)310(50); reduced in number relative to the adjacent perianth, or isomerous with the perianth, or diplostemonous to polystemonous. Anthers separate from one another. Gynoecium 1 carpelled. Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth. Gynoecium monomerous; of one carpel; superior. Carpel apically stigmatic; 1100 ovuled. Placentation marginal (along the ventral suture). Fruit non-fleshy, or fleshy. The fruiting carpel dehiscent, or indehiscent; a legume or a follicle, or an achene, or samaroid, or a loment, or drupaceous. Geography, cytology. Paleotropical, Neotropical, Cape, and Australian. Temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical. Mostly tropical and subtropical. Common Plants Cassia nodosa Cassia obovata Tamarindus indicus Poinciana regia Bauhinia variegata Ceratonia siliqua
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Order: Umbelliflorae 1. Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) - The Carrot Family

Diversity: Mostly herbs - often perennial - about 300 genera and over 3,000 species with highest diversity in northern, temperate parts of the world and tropical uplands. Distribution: Worldwide, but mostly in the northern hemisphere with extensions into the tropics at higher elevations. Habit and leaf form . Herbs, or shrubs or trees; bearing essential oils. Helophytic, or mesophytic, or xerophytic. Leaves small to large; alternate, or alternate and opposite, simple, or compound; peltate or not peltate; when compound, ternate, or pinnate, or bipinnate, or multiply compound, or palmate. Lamina when simple, entire or dissected. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences; in umbels , or in heads. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose, or racemose. Inflorescences t erminal; often cymose umbels or heads arranged in cymose inflorescences, sometimes reduced to single flowers. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla, 410; 2 whorled, or 1 whorled. Calyx when detectable, 5; 1 whorled; polysepalous, or gamosepalous. Corolla 5; 1 whorled; polypetalous; valvate. Androecium 5. free of one another; 1 whorled. Stamens 5; isomerous with the perianth. Gynoecium 2 carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous; inferior. Ovary (1) 2 locular. Gynoecium median. Styles 2; free to partially joined. Stigmas wet type. Placentation axile, or apical.

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Fruit non-fleshy; a schizocarp. Mericarps 2; dry, united facially, 1-seeded, the integument sometimes united with the pericarp. Geography, cytology. Frigid zone to tropical. Cosmopolitan, but mainly North temperate. X = (4-) 811(-12). Common Plants Daucus carrota Petroselinum sativum Carum carvi Ammi visnaga Coriandrum sativum Daucus boissieri Anethum graveolens Cuminum cyminum Pimpinella anisum Foeniculum vulgare

Subclass 2. Monochlamydeae
Perianth undifferentiated or absent

Order: Centro spermae 1. Family: Chenopodiaceae -The Goosefoot Family

Diversity: A taxonomically difficult group of 102 genera and about 1,400 species. These are mostly herbs, with many weedy annuals, but also some fairly common fruticose taxa. Distribution: World wide, especially xeric or saline habitats with centers of diversity in South America and Australia. Habit and leaf form . Herbs , or shrubs , or trees, or lianas, succulent, or nonsucculent. Annual, or biennial, or perennial. Helophytic to xerophytic. Leaves minute to large; alternate, or opposite; when alternate, spiral, or distichous ; herbaceous, or fleshy, or membranous; petiolate to sessile; when opposite, connate. Lamina dissected, or entire.

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Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary (then axillary), or aggregated in inflorescences. Flowers minute, or small; regular; cyclic; when hermaphrodite, usually tricyclic . Perianth sepaline, (15(6); joined (imbricate); 1 whorled; fleshy, or non-fleshy; persistent; accrescent, or non-accrescent. Calyx (1) 35(6); gamosepalous , or polysepalous, persistent (in the fruit); accrescent or non-accrescent; imbricate. Androecium 35. Androecial members free of the perianth, or adnate . Stamens 35; usually isomerous with the perianth;. Anther wall initially with one middle layer, or initially with more than one middle layer; of the. Gynoecium 25 carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous; superior, or partly inferior. Ovary 1 locular. Styles (123(4); usually partially joined. Stigmas dry type; papillate. Placentation basal. Fruit non-fleshy; indehiscent, or dehiscent; a nut , or capsular-indehiscent, enclosed in the fleshy perianth , or without fleshy investment Geography, cytology. Temperate to sub-tropical. Widespread, but missing from Central America, Asia, Malaysia and most of Africa. X = (6)9. Common Plants Beta vulgaris var. rapa Spinacia oleracea Chenopodium ambrosioides Beta vulgaris var. cicla Chenopodium murale or

2. Family: Caryophyllaceae-The Pink Family

Diversity: A large (75 genera, ca. 2,000 species), but distinctive family of often Spring-blooming herbs that tend to produce fairly large, showy flowers. Distribution: Found throughout the World - cosmopolitan - but centered in northtemperate areas. Habit and leaf form . Small trees, or shrubs, or herbs. Helophytic to xerophytic.
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Leaves opposite, or whorled, or alternate; petiolate, or subsessile, or sessile, or perfoliate; connate, or not connate; simple; epulvinate. Lamina entire. Leaves stipulate , or exstipulate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences, or solitary; in cymes. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose. Inflorescences usually terminal; typically dichasial cymes. Flowers regular; generally more or less 5 merous. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla, or sepaline; (810, or 5; 2 whorled, or 1 whorled; isomerous. Calyx (4) 5; 1 whorled; polysepalous, or gamosepalous; regular; imbricate; with the median member posterior. Corolla when present, (45; 1 whorled. Androecium (1)5, or 8, or 10. Androecial members free of the perianth, or adnate (sometimes adnate to the base of the corolla or the calyx); all equal, or markedly unequal; free of one another; 1 whorled, or 2 whorled Gynoecium 25 carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous; superior. Ovary 1 locular. Styles 25; free to partially joined; apical. Stigmas 25; dry type; papillate. Placentation basal, or free central. Fruit non-fleshy; dehiscent, or indehiscent; a capsule , or a nut. Capsules usually denticidal, or valvular. Geography, cytology. Frigid zone to tropical. Cosmopolitan. X = 519. Common Plants Dianthus caryophyllus Gypsophila elegans Vaccaria pyramidata Stellaria semivestita shows anti-cancer activity

Spergula arvensis, are employed against pulmonary tuberculosis

3. Famiy: Nyctaginaceae-The 4 Oclock family

Diversity: A family with 31 genera and 400 species. The family has little economic importance except as ornamentals.
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Distribution: Pantropical and more common in the New World, with some species in temperate regions. Habit and leaf form . Trees, shrubs, and herbs, or lianas . Self supporting , or climbing . Mesophytic. Leaves alternat or opposite; petiolate to sessile; non-sheathing; simple. Lamina entire; pinnately veined; cross-venulate. Leaves exstipulate.. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences; in cymes, in panicles, in spikes, and in umbels. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary; with involucral bracts, or without involucral bracts; Perianth sepaline; (3) 5(10); joined; 1 whorled. Calyx (35(10); 1 whorled; gamosepalous; campanulate, or urceolate, or funnel-shaped, or tubular; regular. Androecium (1)5(30), 1 whorled. Gynoecium 1 carpelled. Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth. Placentation basal. Fruit non-fleshy. The fruiting carpel indehiscent; an achene. Geography, cytology. Temperate, or sub-tropical to tropical. Pantropical and subtropical. X = 10, 13, 17, 29, 33 . Common Plants Bougainvillea glabra Mirabilis galaba

Subclass 3. Sympetalae
Perianth of united parts, at least the corolla

Order: Contortae 1. Family: Apocynaceae

Diversity : this family include 1,500 - 2,000 Species belong to 180 200 genera.
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Distribution: Pantropical with some temparate.

Habit and leaf form . Trees, or shrubs, or lianas or herbs; laticiferous. Climbing. Leaves alternate, or opposite, or whorled; when whorled 3 per whorl; simple. Lamina entire; pinnately veined. Leaves stipulate, or exstipulate. Stipules when present, interpetiolar. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences. The terminal inflorescence unit usually a panicle. Flowers bracteate; bracteolate; regular; usually 45 merous; cyclic; tetracyclic. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 10; 2 whorled; isomerous. Calyx 5; 1 whorled; gamosepalous; regular; imbricate (quincuncial); with the median member posterior. Corolla 5; 1 whorled; appendiculate; gamopetalous Androecium 5. Androecial members adnate (epipetalous); united with the gynoecium or free of the gynoecium; free of one another. Stamens 5; inserted near the base of the corolla tube, or midway down the corolla tube, or in the throat of the corolla tube; isomerous with the perianth; oppositisepalous; alternating with the corolla members. Gynoecium 2 carpelled, or 25(8) carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous; superior, or partly inferior. Carpel when synstylous, 250 ovuled. Styles 1. Placentation when unilocular, with the two placentas parietal; when bilocular, axile, or apical . Fruit fleshy, or non-fleshy; dehiscent, or indehiscent, or a schizocarp. Mericarps when schizocarpic, 2; comprising follicles, or comprising berrylets, or comprising. Geography, cytology. Temperate (a few), or sub-tropical to tropical (mainly). Widespread. X = 812(+). Common Plants Nerium oleander Plumeria acutifolia Vinca rosea

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Order: Tubiflorae 1. Family: Convolvulaceae - The Morning Glory Family

Diversity: Herbs, mostly twining without tendrils, some shrubs, and rarely trees in about 50 genera and 1,500 species. Distribution: Worldwide, but with greatest diversity in the tropics. Habit and leaf form. Herbs (mostly, climbing or trailing), or shrubs, or lianas, or trees. Plants succulent, or non-succulent. Trailing or climbing. Helophytic, mesophytic, and xerophytic. Leaves alternate; spiral; herbaceous, or fleshy; petiolate, or subsessile, or sessile; non-sheathing; simple. Lamina dissected, or entire; when dissected, pinnatifid, or palmatifid; pinnately veined, or palmately veined; cross-venulate; cordate, or hastate, or sagittate. Leaves exstipulate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences; in cymes. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose. Inflorescences nearly always simple or compound dichasia. Flowers bracteate; bracteolate, or ebracteolate. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 10; 2 whorled; isomerous. Calyx 5; 1 whorled; polysepalous, or gamosepalous ; persistent; imbricate; with the median member posterior. Corolla 5; 1 whorled; gamopetalous; valvate and plicate, or contorted and plicate; tubular. Androecium 5. Androecial members adnate (to the base of the corolla); free of one another; 1 whorled. Stamens 5; inserted near the base of the corolla tube. Anthers dehiscing via longitudinal slits; introrse; tetrasporangiate. Gynoecium 2(5) carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous; 5. superior. Carpel when the ovaries are free, (1)2 ovuled. Placentation basal. Ovary (12(5) locular. Styles 1

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Fruit fleshy, or non-fleshy; when synstylous, an aggregate, or not an aggregate. Fruit dehiscent, or indehiscent; a capsule, or a berry, or a nut. Capsules loculicidal, or circumscissile, or splitting irregularly. Geography, cytology. Temperate to tropical. Cosmopolitan. X = 715(+). Common Plants Convolvulus arvensis Ipomoea tricolor Cressa cretica Ipomoea batatas Cuscuta pedicellata

2. Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) - The Mint Family

Diversity: Herbs and shrubs that, shows a center of diversity in the Mediterranean basin and a tendency to produce volatile oils. Thus, of the ca. 200 genera and 3, 200 species, many are used as herbs and spices for cooking. Distribution: Worldwide, with greatest diversity in north temperate ares, especially southern Europeand the Mediterranean. Habit and leaf form . Herbs, shrubs, trees, or lianas; characteristically bearing essential oils. The herbs annual to perennial. Helophytic, mesophytic, or xerophytic. Leaves opposite or whorled; when whorled, petiolate to sessile; simple, or compound. Lamina dissected, or entire; when dissected, pinnatifid, or palmatifid; one-veined, or pinnately veined, or palmately veined. Leaves exstipulate. Lamina margins entire, or crenate, or serrate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences in heads, or in spikes, or in cymes, or in panicles. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary. Flowers minute to medium-sized; zygomorphic; tetracyclic. Floral receptacle developing a gynophore, or with neither androphore nor gynophore.

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Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 410; 2 whorled; isomerous, or anisomerous (or only dubiously interpretable). Calyx 2, or 3, or 4, or 5 (basically 5, but often with the bilabiate condition superimposed, and 2-lobed; 1 whorled. Corolla 5 or 4;1 whorled; gamopetalous; imbricate; bilabiate (usually, the lower lip typically threelobed, the upper commonly bilobed ). Androecium 2, or 4(5) . Androecial members adnate; all equal. Stamens 2, or 4. Gynoecium 2 carpelled. Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth; syncarpous; superior. Ovary 2 locular. Styles 1. Stigmas 2, or 1; 2 lobed. Placentation basal. Ovules 2 per locule, or 1 per locule. Fruit usually non-fleshy, or fleshy; more or less a schizocarp. Mericarps 2-4; comprising nutlets. Geography, cytology. Frigid zone to tropical. Cosmopolitan. X = 511(+). Common Plants Salvia splendens Mentha sativa Organum vulgare Ocimum basilicum Rosmarinus officinalis Thymus vulgare

Order: Personatae 1. Family: Solanaceae - The Nightshade Family

Diversity: Herbs, shrubs, and some trees in about 85 genera and 2,800 species. Distribution: Worldwide, but with greatest diversity in the western hemisphere. Habit and leaf form . Herbs, shrubs, trees, and lianas. Annual, or biennial, perennial.

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Leaves alternate, or alternate to opposite, petiolate or subsessile, or sessile; simple, or compound. Lamina dissected, or entire; when simple/dissected, pinnatifid, or spinose; cross-venulate. Leaves exstipulate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences. The terminal inflorescence unit apparently cymose. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary, or leaf-opposed. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 10 , or 8, or 1114; 2 whorled; Calyx (4 )5(7); 1 whorled; gamosepalous. Corolla (4)5(7); 1 whorled; gamopetalous. Androecium 5 , or 34 , or 67. Stamens 5 or 2, or 4. Anthers connivent Gynoecium 2 carpelled. Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth. Gynoecium syncarpous; ovary 2 locular (but sometimes complicated by secondary divisions). Gynoecium oblique. Styles 1. Placentation axile. Ovules 150 per locule . Fruit fleshy, or non-fleshy; dehiscent, or indehiscent; a capsule, or a berry, or a drupe. Capsules septicidal , or loculicidal, or valvular, or circumscissile. Geography, cytology. Temperate to tropical. Absent only from cold regions, but with greatest diversity in Central and South America. X = 7 12(+). Common Plants Solanum tuberosum Solanum melongena Capsicum annuum Nicotiana tabacum Datura stramonium Petunia hybrida Solanum nigrum Solanum lycopersicum Capsicum frutescens Hyoscymus muticus Withania somnifera

2. Family: Scrophulariaceae - The Snapdragon Family

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Diversity: Mostly showy flowered herbs with a few shrubs and some taxa specialized as root parasites - a large and highly variable family of about 190 genera and 4, 000 species. Distribution: Worldwide with no pronounced center of diversity. Habit and leaf form . Shrubs and herbs , or trees, or lianas. Plants succulent or nonsucculent. Annual, or biennial, or perennial. Climbing ( the climbers stem twiners, or petiole twiners). Hydrophytic or helophytic, or mesophytic, or xerophytic.

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Leaves alternate, or opposite, or whorled; petiolate to sessile, or perfoliate. Lamina dissected pinnatifid, or palmatifid, or much-divided. Leaves exstipulate. Lamina margins entire, or crenate, or serrate, or dentate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences; in cymes, in racemes, in spikes, in heads, and in panicles. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose, or racemose. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary; mainly racemes. Flowers bracteate, or ebracteate. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; (6)810(13); 2 whorled. Calyx 4 or 5, or 2; 1 whorled; gamosepalous , or polysepalous; bilabiate, or regular, gamopetalous; imbricate, or valvate. Corolla 4 or 5; 1 whorled; gamopetalous; imbricate, or valvate; more or less bilabiate. Androecium (4)5, or 2(3) (sometimes the lower pair reduced or missing). Stamens (2- 4(5); inserted near the base of the corolla tube. Anthers tetrads tetrahedral, or isobilateral, or decussate. Gynoecium 2(3) carpelled; syncarpous. Ovary 2(3) locular. Styles 1; without an indusium; attenuate from the ovary, or from a depression at the top of the ovary; apical. Stigmas 1, or 2; 1 2 lobed; wet type, or dry type. Placentation axile, or apical . Ovules 1 per locule or 2 50 per locule. Fruit non-fleshy, or fleshy; dehiscent, or indehiscent, or a schizocarp. Mericarps when schizocarpic, 2, or 1. Fruit when non-schizocarpic, a capsule, or a berry, or capsular-indehiscent. Capsules septicidal, or loculicidal, or poricidal , or circumscissile, or splitting irregularly. Geography, cytology. Frigid zone to tropical. Cosmopolitan. X = 6 (or more). Common Plants Antirrhinum majus Veronica officinalis Digitalis purpurea Scrophularia nodosa

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Order Lamiales
According to Cronquest (1988) the Lamiales "may be briefly characterized as Asteridae with a superior ovary consisting of 2 (-4) biovulate carpels with twice as many uniovulate locelli as carpels. The fruit very often consists of 1-seeded, halfcarpellary nutlets." From the point of view of field identification, this group of three families is united by the common presence of a gynoecium that differs from those previously considered (Gentianales, Solanales, Scrophulariales) in that the number of ovules has been reduced to four and, via a 'derived' septum, each ovule occupies its own locule:

Synoptical Arrangement of the Families of the Lamiales 1. Leaves mostly alternate, flowers actinomorphic, stamens 5, stems terete, gynobasic style present. ..Boraginaceae 1. Leaves mostly opposite, flowers zygomorphic, stamens less than 5, stems usually quadrangular .. ... Verbenaceae

1. Family: Boraginaceae - The Borage Family

Diversity: Shrubs, trees and - especially in our flora - herbs in about 100 genera and 2,000 species. Distribution: Worldwide, but with great diversity in the Mediterranean basin

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Habit and leaf form. Trees, or shrubs, or herbs, or lianas . Autotrophic. Annual to perennial. Self supporting , or climbing. Helophytic, or mesophytic, or xerophytic. Leaves minute to medium-sized; alternate, or alternate and opposite; flat; petiolate to sessile; non-sheathing, or sheathing; simple. Lamina entire; usually narrow, linear to lanceolate. Leaves exstipulate. Lamina margins entire , or crenate, or dentate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences , or solitary. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary. Flowers bracteate, or ebracteate; bracteolate; usually regular, or somewhat irregular to very irregular Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; 10(13); 2 whorled; isomerous. Calyx 5 , or 58; 1 whorled; polysepalous, or gamosepalous; imbricate, or open in bud, or valvate. Corolla 5; 1 whorled; gamopetalous. Corolla imbricate, or contorted; rotate, or campanulate. Androecium 5. Androecial members unbranched; unequal; free of one another, or coherent; 1 whorled. Androecium exclusively of fertile stamens. Stamens 5; inserted midway down the corolla tube, or in the throat of the corolla tube; not didynamous, not tetradynamous; isomerous with the perianth. Gynoecium 2 carpelled , or 45 carpelled . Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth , or reduced in number relative to the perianth to isomerous with the perianth Gynoecium syncarpous; superior. Ovary 2 locular or 45. Styles 1. Placentation axile to basal. Ovules 2 per locule. Fruit fleshy, or non-fleshy; when dry, dehiscent, or indehiscent, or a schizocarp. Mericarps when schizocarpic, 4, or 810. Fruit a drupe (14 seeded). Geography, cytology. Temperate to tropical. Cosmopolitan, but fewer in cool temperate and tropical regions, and with a strong Mediterranean concentration. X = 4 12. Common Plants
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Heliotropium aegyptiacum Arnebia decumbens

Trichodesma africana Echium sericeum

2. Family: Verbenaceae The Verbena Family

Diversity: Shrubs, trees, and herb, about 100 genera and 2, 600 species. Distribution: Worldwide, but as opposed to other elements of the Lamiales, with greatest diversity in the tropics. Habit and leaf form . Trees, shrubs, and herbs, or lianas. Mesophytic and xerophytic. Leaves opposite, or whorled, or alternate; petiolate to sessile; foetid, or without

marked odour, or aromatic; simple, or compound; epulvinate; when compound, ternate to pinnate , or palmate. Lamina dissected, or entire; when dissected, pinnatifid; pinnately veined. Leaves exstipulate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers usually aggregated in inflorescences; in cymes, in racemes, in spikes, in heads, and in verticils. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose, or racemose. Inflorescences terminal, or axillary. Flowers bracteate; irregular, or regular . Flowers (4) 5(8) merous; tetracyclic.

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Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; (7) 10(16); 2 whorled; isomerous. Calyx (2-5(8); 1 whorled; gamosepalous; entire, or lobulate, or blunt-lobed, or toothed. Corolla (4) 5(8); 1 whorled; gamopetalous. Corolla lobes markedly shorter than the tube; imbricate; tubular, or campanulate ; unequal but not bilabiate, or bilabiate, or regular . Androecium (24(5). Androecial members adnate; markedly unequal, or all equal; free of one another; 1 whorled. Stamens (24(5); usually didynamous. Gynoecium 2, or 4, or 5 carpelled. Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth, or isomerous with the perianth; syncarpous; superior. Ovary 2 locular, or 4 5 locular. Styles 1; apical, or lateral. Stigmas 1; 1 lobed, or 2 lobed. Placentation basal to axile, or axile. Ovules 2 per locule Fruit fleshy , or non-fleshy; dehiscent , or indehiscent , or a schizocarp. Mericarps when schizocarpic, 4, or 810. Fruit when non-schizocarpic a drupe, or a capsule. Geography, 512. Common Plants Lantana camara Phyla nodiflora Clerodendrum acerbianum Avicennia marina cytology. Temperate, or sub-tropical to tropical. Very widespreadtemperate and tropical, but absent from central and Northern Eurasia. X =

Order: Cucurbitales 1. Family: Cucurbitaceae - The Gourd Family

Diversity: A family about 90 genera and over 700 species of scandent, tendrilbearing herbs, both annual and perennial. Distribution: pantropical.
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Broadly distributed throughout tropical areas of the World

Habit and leaf form . Mostly more or less scandent, juicy herbs, or shrubs . Plants non-succulent. Annual, or perennial; with neither basal nor terminal aggregations of leaves; perennials in temperate regions tuberous. Climbing ; tendril climbers. Mesophytic to xerophytic. Leaves alternate; spiral; petiolate; non-sheathing; simple, or compound; when compound ternate, or palmate. Lamina dissected, or entire; when simple/dissected, palmatifid; usually palmately veined; cross-venulate. Leaves exstipulate; without a persistent basal meristem. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences. Inflorescences axillary. Flowers small to large; regular , or somewhat irregular. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; (6) 10(12); 2 whorled; isomerous. Calyx (3)5(6); 1 whorled; gamosepalous; regular; imbricate, or open in bud. Corolla (3 )5(6); 1 whorled; polypetalous, or gamopetalous; more or less valvate or imbricate; regular; green, or white, or yellow, or orange. Androecium 5 or 3; Stamens 3, or 5; reduced in number relative to the adjacent perianth, or isomerous with the perianth. Anthers cohering , or connivent, or separate from one another; adnate; dehiscing via longitudinal slits; extrorse; unilocular, or unilocular and bilocular. Gynoecium 1 carpelled or (2)3(5) carpelled. Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth. Gynoecium monomerous, or syncarpous. Ovary 1 locular, or 23(5) locular. Styles 1, or 23(5); when more than one, partially joined; apical. Stigmas 1, or 23(5). Fruit fleshy , or non-fleshy; dehiscent or indehiscent; a berry or a capsule, or a samara . Geography, cytology. Temperate (warm only), or sub-tropical to tropical. X = 714. Common Plants Citrullus vulgaris Cucumis melo
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Cucumis sativus

Cucurbita pepo

Order: Asterales 1. Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) The Sunflower Family

Diversity: Mostly herbs, but many shrubs, and few arborescent types. Given the size of this family (1, 100 genera and ca. 20, 000 species); annuals, perennials, stem succulents, aquatics, epiphytes, etc.). Distribution: Worldwide and well expressed as a common element of just about all global ecosystems although, in contrast with many large flowering plant families, biodiversity in tropical forests is relatively low. Habit and leaf form . Herbs, trees, shrubs, or lianas. Plants non-succulent, or succulent (a few). Annual or biennial. Hydrophytic, helophytic, mesophytic, or xerophytic; the hydrophytes. Leaves alternate, opposite or whorled ; petiolate to sessile. Leaves gland-dotted, or not gland-dotted; aromatic, or foetid, or without marked odour; simple, or compound; peltate, or not peltate. Lamina dissected, or entire; pinnatifid, or palmatifid. Leaves exstipulate , or stipulate . Lamina margins entire. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences; in heads. The terminal inflorescence unit racemose (but the primary capitula sometimes in cymose secondary heads). Inflorescences nearly always Indeterminate heads, but sometimes primary heads reduced to single florets are grouped into secondary heads. Flowers bracteate, regular, or irregular. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla; (1)335; 1 whorled, or 2 whorled. Calyx when present, (1) 230 (of scales, awns or bristles constituting the pappus); represented by bristles , or not represented by bristles; 1 whorled.

73

Common floret types:

74

Common inflorescence types: Radiate - mix of disc (center) and ray (periphery)

Corolla 13 (ligulate florets), or (4)5 (disk florets); 1 whorled; gamopetalous; valvate. Androecium 35. Androecial members adnate; coherent; 1 whorled. Stamens 35; oppositisepalous. Anthers cohering basifixed; dehiscing via longitudinal slits; usually appendaged. Gynoecium 2 carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous; inferior. Ovary 1 locular. Styles 2; partially joined; attenuate from the ovary. Stigmas 2. Placentation basal. Ovules in the single cavity 1. Fruit non-fleshy; indehiscent; a cypsella or a drupe. The drupes with one stone. Geography, cytology. Frigid zone, temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical. Cosmopolitan. X = 2 19(+). Basic chromosome number of family 9. Common Plants Lactuca sativa Cotula cinerea Ambrosia maritima Senecio vulgaris Conyza dioscoridis Cynara scolymus Gnaphalium luteo-album Sonchus oleraceus Centaurea alexandrina Launaea nudicaulis

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Class 2: Monocotyledoneae
Embryo with one cotyledon Comparison of Cyperaceae and Poaceae Character Stems Leaves Flowers Fruit Cyperaceae internodes solid stems 3-sided 3-ranked, eligulate sheathes closed subtended by 1 bract lodicules absent achene Poaceae internodes hollow stems round 2-ranked, ligulate sheathes open subtended by 2 bracts lodicules present caryopsis

Order: G lumiflorae 1. Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) - The Grass Family

Diversity: often tufted, perennial herbs, also many annuals, rhizomatous ca. 500 genera and 8,000 species. Distribution: Worldwide, present in abundance in just about all habitats and ecological zones and often forming the dominant element in open areas Significant features: Small, reduced flowers on tufted with linear, sheathing leaves. Differing from the Cyperaceae with its round stems ('culms '), hollow at the internodes, and leaves 2-ranked or arranged in 2 rows. Sheathing leaf bases of they are also often 'open ' or loosely connected to the culm, often showing a ligule at the point where the leaf blade meets the sheath. Reproductive structures are distinct in that the inflorescences are made up of 'subinflorescences' known as spikelets. The grass spikelet is defined by two basal 'sterile bracts' or glumes . These subtend either

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a single (simple spikelet) or several (compound) florets. The term 'floret', when applied to grasses, refers to the flower and two 'fertile' bracts that usually enclose the flower, the lemma and palea. The perianth is reduced to vestigial structures, lodicules, positioned beneath the ovary and the fruit is single-seeded with the testa adnate to the pericarp, a caryopsis. In contrast to most large families, the fruit is usually not needed for species identification.

Base structures

Habit and leaf form . Herbs, shrubs, or lianas. Annual, biennial, or perennial; with a basal aggregation of leaves, or with neither basal nor terminal aggregations of leaves. Young stems breaking easily at the nodes. Hydrophytic to xerophytic; when hydrophytic, rooted. Leaves evergreen, or deciduous; minute to large; alternate; flat, or folded, or rolled, or terete; sessile, or petiolate; sheathing. Leaf sheaths tubular; with free margins, simple. Lamina entire; setaceous, or acicular, or linear to obovate; parallel-veined, or pinnately veined to palmately veine. Lamina margins nearly always entire.

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Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences in spikelets. The terminal inflorescence unit (the spikelet) or racemose (e.g. Pooideae). Inflorescences terminal, or axillary; with 150 florets and vestiges grouped into characteristic spikelets in association with specialised bracts termed glumes, lemmas and paleas , the spikelets variously gathered into simple or compound panicles, racemes, spikes, heads or fascicles; with involucral bracts, or without involucral bracts; spatheate, or espatheate. Androecium (1)23, or 4 , or 6. Stamens (1)23, or 4, or 6120. Anthers basifixed (sagittate). Gynoecium theoretically 2(3) carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous; superior. Ovary 1 locular. Styles 1, or 2(3). Stigmas (1)23; dry type; papillate, or non-papillate. Placentation basal to parietal. Ovules in the single cavity. Fruit non-fleshy, or fleshy; indehiscent; a caryopsis or capsular-indehiscent , or achene-like, or a nut, or a berry. Geography, cytology. Holarctic, Paleotropical, Neotropical, Cape, Australian, and Antarctic. Frigid zone, temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical. Cosmopolitan. Common Plants Avena fatua Cynodon dactylon Triticum aestivum Oryza sativa Sorghum dura Poa annua Echinochloa colunum Triticum vulgare Hordeum vulgare Zea mays Saccharum officinarum Arundo donax

Order: Cyperales 1. Family: Cyperaceae - The Sedge Family

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Diversity: grass-like, often perennial tufted (caespitose) herbs - ca. 70 genera and 4,000 species. Distribution: Worldwide, but mostly in moist, cool places in the north temperate zone with extensions into the tropical highlands. Habit and leaf form. Herbs. Annual, or biennial, or perennial; with a basal aggregation of leaves, or with neither basal nor terminal aggregations of leaves. Young stems not breaking easily at the nodes; rhizomatous, or tuberous. Hydrophytic, or helophytic, or mesophytic, or xerophytic. Leaves alternate; spiral, or distichous; flat, or folded, or rolled, or terete; sessile, or petiolate; sheathing. Leaf sheaths with joined margins, or with free margins. Leaves simple. Lamina entire; setaceous, or acicular, or linear to obovate; parallel-veined. Leaves ligulate, or eligulate. Lamina margins usually entire. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences; in spikelets. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose, or racemose. Flowers bracteate, or ebracteate; bracteolate; usually small, or minute. Perianth of tepals , or vestigial (represented by bristles or hairs), or absent; when present, often 6; free; sometimes more or less sepaloid. Androecium 13, or 46(22). Stamens 13, or 46(22). Anthers basifixed; introrse, or latrorse; tetrasporangiate. Gynoecium 2 carpelled, or 3(4) carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous. Ovary 1 locular. Styles 23; free to partially joined. Stigmas (1)2, or 3(15). Placentation basal. Fruit non-fleshy; indehiscent; achene-like. Fruit 1 seeded. Geography, cytology. Holarctic, Paleotropical, Neotropical, Cape, Australian, and Antarctic. Frigid zone to tropical. Cosmopolitan, predominating in moist habitats. Chromosomes with diffuse centromeres. Common Plants Cyperus esculentus
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Cyperus papyrus

Cyperus alternifolius

Order: Spa diciflorae 1. Family: Arecaceae (Palmae) - the Palm Family

Diversity: Mostly arborescent with some 'woody' vines and shrubs. The family includes about 200 genera and 3,000 species including many of economic importance in the tropics (betel nut - Areca, oil palm - Elaeis, coconut - Cocos, date palm Phoenix). Distribution: Worldwide and centered in the tropics and subtropics. Habit and leaf form . Trees, or arborescent, or shrubs. Mesophytic, or xerophytic. Leaves evergreen; small to very large; alternate; spiral, or distichous; leathery; petiolate; sheathing. Leaf sheaths tubular; with joined margins. Leaves nearly always compound; pinnate, or palmate, or bipinnate . Lamina without cross-venules. Leaves ligulate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers aggregated in inflorescences; in panicles. Inflorescences axillary , or terminal; usually complex panicles; usually spatheate. Flowers small; more or less regular; 3 merous; cyclic , or partially acyclic. Perianth with distinct calyx and corolla, or of tepals , or vestigial to absent ; 6 , or 4; free, or joined; 2 whorled (usually 3+3, occasionally 2+2), or 1 whorled ; sepaloid, or petaloid, or sepaloid and petaloid. Androecium 3, or 6, or 9, or 10900; 1 adelphous ; 2 whorled, or 3 whorled. Stamens 3, or 6, or 9, or 10900. Anthers dehiscing via longitudinal slits. Gynoecium 3(10) carpelled. Carpels isomerous with the perianth, or increased in number relative to the perianth. Gynoecium apocarpous, or syncarpous. Ovary when syncarpous 1 locular or 3(10) locular. Styles 1, or 3(10). Stigmas dry type; papillate. Placentation sub apical, or basal. Ovules 1 per locule; non-arillate.

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Fruit fleshy, or non-fleshy; an aggregate , or not an aggregate. The fruiting carpel when apocarpous, indehiscent; drupaceous. Fruit indehiscent , or dehiscent ; nearly always a berry, or a drupe (sometimes with a fibrous mesocarp). Geography, cytology. Sub-tropical to tropical. Pantropical and subtropical. X = 13 18. Common Plants Phoenix dactylifera Oredoxa regia Livistonia chinensis Hyphaene thebaica Washingtonia robusta Cocos nucifera

Order: Liliflorae 1. Family: Liliaceae - The Lily Family

Diversity: perennial herbs with, ca. 280 genera and 4,000 species Distribution: Worldwide Habit and leaf form. Herbs. Perennial; with a basal aggregation of leaves, or with neither basal nor terminal aggregations of leaves. Young stems not breaking easily at the nodes. Bulbaceous. Helophytic to xerophytic. Leaves alternate, or opposite, or whorled; when alternate, spiral; flat, or folded, or rolled, or terete; sessile, or petiolate; sheathing, or non-sheathing. Leaf sheaths with free margins. Leaves simple; epulvinate. Lamina entire; linear to lanceolate, or ovate; parallel-veined; without cross-venules. Leaves eligulate. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences; in racemes, or in umbels, or in panicles. The terminal inflorescence unit racemose. Flowers bracteate, or ebracteate.

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Perianth of tepals, or with distinct calyx and corolla; 6; free; 2 whorled; isomerous; petaloid, or sepaloid and petaloid; similar in the two whorls, or different in the two whorls; colour variable. Androecium 6. Androecial members free of the perianth; all equal; free of one another; 2 whorled (3+3). Androecium exclusively of fertile stamens. Stamens 6; diplostemonous; alterniperianthial. Anthers basifixed or dorsifixed. Gynoecium 3 carpelled. Carpels isomerous with the perianth. Gynoecium syncarpous. Ovary 3 locular. Styles 1; attenuate from the ovary, or from a depression at the top of the ovary; apical. Stigmas 1, or 3; dorsal to the carpels; wet type, or dry type; papillate. Placentation axile. Ovules 550 per locule. Fruit non-fleshy; dehiscent; a capsule. Capsules loculicidal. Geography, cytology. Northern hemisphere, centred on southwest and Himalayan Asia to China. X = 12. Common Plants Allium cepa Allium porrum Ruscus alexandrinus Asparagus plumosus Allium sativum Allium currat Aloe sp.

2. Family: Amaryllidaceae
Diversity: This family of about 1100 species belonging to 85 genera. Many of the plants are bulbous; others have rhizomes. Distribution: Native to the tropics and sub-tropics, but some species occur naturally in temperate regions

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Habit and leaf form . Herbs. Perennial; with a basal aggregation of leaves, or with neither basal nor terminal aggregations of leaves; bulbaceous, or rhizomatous. Mesophytic. Leaves mostly deciduous; alternate; spiral; sessile, or petiolate; sheathing; simple. Lamina entire; linear, or lanceolate, or oblong, or ovate, or orbicular; parallel-veined. Lamina margins entire. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences; in cymes or in umbels, or in heads. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose. Flowers regular to somewhat irregular to very irregular. Perianth of tepals; 6; free to joined; 2 whorled (3+3, but often with a conspicuous, like an extra, inner whorl); isomerous; petaloid; similar in the two whorls. Androecium (3) 6(18); 2 whorled (3+3). Stamens 3 or 6. Anthers dorsifixed or basifixed. Gynoecium 3 carpelled. Carpels isomerous with the perianth; syncarpous; Ovary 3 locular. Gynoecium stylate. Styles 1; apical. Stigmas 1, or 3; 13 lobed; capitate. Placentation axile. Ovules 12 50 per locule. Fruit fleshy, or non-fleshy; dehiscent, or indehiscent; a capsule, or a berry. Capsules loculicidal. Geography, cytology. Temperate (a few), or sub-tropical and tropical (many). Widespread. Common Plants Narcissus tazetta Agave sp. Pancratium sp.

3. Family: Iridaceae - The Iris Family

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Diversity: perennial herbs with, often, showy flowers - ca. 80 genera and 1,500 species including many ornamental domesticates. Distribution: Worldwide with centers of diversity in the southern hemisphere. Habit and leaf form . Herbs, or shrubs . Perennial; rhizomatous, or cormous, or bulbaceous. Helophytic to xerophytic. Leaves evergreen, or deciduous; alternate; flat, or terete; sessile, or petiolate; sheathing. Leaf sheaths with free margins. Leaves foetid or without marked odour. Lamina entire; linear, or lanceolate; parallel-veined; without cross-venules. Leaves eligulate. Lamina margins entire. Inflorescence and flower. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in inflorescences; in panicles, in cymes, in spikes, in umbels, and in corymbs. The terminal inflorescence unit cymose, or racemose. Inflorescences terminal; panicles, thyrses, cymes, spikes. Flowers bracteate; small to large; regular to zygomorphic; 3 merous; cyclic. Perianth of tepals; 6; joined; 2 whorled; isomerous; petaloid; without spots, or spotted ; similar in the two whorls, or different in the two whorls. Androecium (2) 3, 1 adelphous; 1 whorled. Stamens (23). Anthers separate from one another , basifixed. Gynoecium 3 carpelled. Gynoecium syncarpous. Ovary 3 locular, or 1 locular. Styles 1. Placentation when unilocular parietal; nearly always axile. Ovules (1)250 per locule. Fruit non-fleshy; dehiscent; a capsule. Capsules loculicidal. Geography, cytology. Holarctic, Paleotropical, Neotropical, Cape, and Australian. Temperate to tropical. Almost cosmopolitan, but lacking from frigid zones and northern Eurasia. X = 319 (or more). Common Plants Iris sp. Freezia refracta Gladiolus sp. Crochus sativus
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REFERENCES
Lawrence, G. 1951. Taxonomy of Vascular plants. Porter, C. 1951. Taxonomy of Flowering plants. Strasburger, E. 1958. Lehrbuch de Botanik fur Hochschulen. Tackholm, V. 1956. Notes of Taxonomy for S2 &S3. Takhtajan, A. 1959. Die Evolution der Angiospermen. El-Hadidi, M.N. 1970. Taxonomy of Flowering plants. Part1. Judd, W., Campbell, C.S., Kellogy, E.A., Stevens, P.F. 1999. Plant systematics, Aphylogenetic Approach. Heywood, V.H. 1988. Flowering plants of the world

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