BIO 330/530 - Plant Systematics

Must know species, families, and key characteristics

Geraniaceae key characteristics

5-merous, knobby nodes, long beaked style, fused stamen

Geranium caespitosum - caespitose meaning “grows in clumps” (lacking single stem). Family Geraniaceae.

Onagraceae key characteristics

4-merous, inferior ovary, long hypanthium, fruit (capsules) containing many seeds & hairs (coma)

Chamerion angustifolium - “narrow-leafed". Family Onagraceae.

Brassicaceae key characteristics

4-merous, tetradynamous stamens, cruciform flowers (clawed), pod fruits w/ replum

Capsella bursa-pastoris, “Shepard’s purse.” Family Brassicaceae.

Lepidium densiflorum - “little scale, densely-flowered.” Family - Brassicaceae.

Malvaceae key characteristics

Epicalyx, stellate hairs, monadelphous stamen

Malva neglecta - Family Malvaceae.

Sphaeralcea coccinea - Family Malvaceae. “Coccin” Latin for scarlet.

Anacardiaceae key characteristics

Resin canals (milky or black, aromatic resins), fleshy drupes, alternate compound leaves, small flowers

Rhus trilobata - “three-lobed sumac.” Family Anacardiaceae.

Sapindaceae key characteristics

Woody, odd opposite leaves, imperfect flowers with whorled stamen, two-winged schizocarp fruit

Acer glabrum - Rocky Mountain maple. “smooth (hairless) maple.” Family Sapindaceae.

Fagaceae key characteristics

Catkins, capped nuts, lobed leaves, woody

Quercus gambelii - Family Fagaceae. Gambel’s oak.

Betulaceae key characteristics

Woody, catkins, simple toothed and pinnately veined leaves, samaras w/ foliaceous involucre

Alnus incana - Family Betulaceae. Literally Grey Alder.

Rosaceae key characteristics

5 petals & sepals, shallow hypanthium, numerous stamens, stipulate

Rosa arkansana - Family Rosaceae. Prairie wild rose, originating from Arkansas river in CO.

Cercocarpus montanus - Family Rosaceae. “Tailed fruit of the mountains.” Genus has distinct spiraling achene fruit with hairs.

Prunus virginiana - Family Rosaceae. Chokecherry.

Fabaceae key characteristics

Papilionaceous flower, diadelphous stamen (sometimes mono/distinct), legume fruit (no replum).

Lupinus argenteus - Family Fabaceae. Silvery lupine. Monadelphous stamen.

Trifolium pratense - Family Fabaceae. Red clover - “three-leaved, of the meadows.” Pointed red stipules with veins and pale chevron markings on leaves.

Elaeagnaceae key characteristics

Stellate/pinnate hairs (giving silver shimmer), woody, thorns

Eleagnus angustifolia - Family Elaeagnaceae. Russian olive - “wild olive, narrow-leaved.”