Plant systematics exam 2

Araceae

Rhizomes or tubers, leaves alternate (often basal) with calcium oxalate crystals. Inflorescence is spathe and spadix. Tiny monoecious flowers. Usually a berry. P(A)4-6 (or 0), A1-6, G1-3 (fused and superior)

Alismataceae

Rhizomatous, leaves basal, latex present, often submerged (water), inflorescence is raceme or panicle. Flowers radially symmetrical, 3 merous. Fruit an agregate of achenes (basal placentation). Ca3, Co(A)3, A6-infinity, G6-infinity (superior)

Juncaceae

Often rhizomatous, leaves basal and round in. cross section (hollow or w/ partitions). Inflorescence: congested cyme. Radially symmetrical, usually bisexual. Fruit is a capsule. P(A)6, A6, G3 (fused and superior)

Cyperaceae

Sometimes rhizomatous. Leaves in 3 ranks, leaf sheaths closed. Stems often triangular. Inflorescence various, flowers highly reduced (perianth absent or hair like). Fruit are achenes, often monoecious

Poaceae

Stem internodes hollow. Leaves in 2 ranks, leaf sheaths open, leaves with ligules. Inflorescence is “spikelets”. Lodicules, fruit is an achene. A3, G2

Spikelet

one or more flowers and bracts

Glumes

bracts at base of spikelet

Palea + lemma

bracts at base of each flower

Floret

one flower, and a palea and lemma

Lodicules

scale-like shape, play an important role in flower opening

Ranunculaceae 

Leaves various: alternate, opposite, or simple, divided. Cyme or single flowers, usually radially symmetrical. Perianth often petal-like tepals, many stamen and pistil. Fruit aggregate of achenes or follicles. P4-infinity, A infinity, G1-infinity (superior). Or Ca5, Co(A)5, A infinity, G infinity (superior)

Vitaceae

Leaves alternate (usually palmately lobed or compound). Tendrils opposite of leaves. Inflorescence: cyme, opposite to leaves. Flowers radially symmetrical, often monoecious. Sepals inconspicuous. Fruit is a berry. 2 seeds per locule. Seeds with raphe (raised lines). Ca4-5, Co(A)4-5 (sometimes fused), A4-5, G2 (superior and fused)

Rosaceae

Leaves alternate (usually), simple or pinnately divided. Stipules present, often adnate to petiole. Sometimes armed and dangerous. Racemes and radially symmetrical. Hypanthium present. Aggregate and accessory fruits. Apomixis. Ca5, Co5, A10-infinity, G1-infinity (superior and inferior)

Apomixis

form of asexual reproduction, seeds are produced without fertilization and generations are genetically identical

Fabaceae

Leaves alternate, pinnately compound. Stipules present. Leaves often modified into tendrils. Flowers in single or raceme, bilaterally symmetrical. 3 petal types (1 banner, 2 wing, 1 keel). Legumes and loments (marginal placintation). Nitrogen fixation. Ca5, Co(z)5, A10, G1 (superior)

3 petal types of Fabaceae

1 banner, 2 wings, 1 keel

Nitrogen fixation

Symbiosis with bacteria. Bacteria live in roots and convert nitrogen gas in soil to produce ammonia for plant. Bacteria receive organic acids

Brassicaceae

Leaves alternate, some basal, simple and lobed, rarely pinnate. Stipules absent. Strong taste/smell (mustard oils). Inflorescence: racemes, radially symmetrical, 4 merous. 2 short outer, 2 long inner stamens. Fruit is silique or silice. Ca4, Co(A)4, A2+4, G2 (fused and superior)

Silique or silice

Specialized capsule. Has a replum (thin membrane separating locules, persists after fruit dehisces)

Onagraceae

Leaves alternate or opposite, simple. Stipules absent (or very small). Hairy. Flowers: raceme, 4 merous, sepals reflexed, usually radially symmetrical. Big, elongate hypanthium. Fruit: capsule. Ca4, Co4, A4 or 8, G4 (fused and inferior)

Caryophyllaceae

Leaves opposite, simple, and entire. Swollen nodes. Cyme, sepals fused, no petals. “Petals” are modified stamens with notched tips (2 lobes). Fruit is capsule and opens by apical teeth (free-central placentation). Ca4-5 (fused), Co4-5, A4-10 (sometimes fused), G2-5 (fused and superior)

Polygonaceae

Leaves alternate and simple. Nodes swollen. Sheathing stipules present (ocrea). Often has oxalic acid. Raceme or spike. Petals and sepals identical. 1 whorl of 5 tepals, or 2 whorls of 6 tepals. Fruit is achene, often winged(basal placentation). P5-6(sometimes fused), A6-9 (sometimes fused), G2-3 (fused and superior)

Ocrea

sheathing stipule

Asteraceae

Leaves opposite, alternate, whorled, usually simple. Hairy and strong smelling (terpenoids). Capitulum, surrounded by involucre. Sepals modified (fluffy) pappus. Achene (basal placintation). Sepals pappus. 5 stamens, form tube. Disc, ray, or ligulate flowers. Ca infinity Co5 (fused and fused to A), A5 (fused), G2 (fused and inferior)

Disc flowers

radially symmetrical, usually perfect

Ray flowers

Bilaterally symmetrical, sterile or pistilate

Ligulate flowers

Bilaterally symmetrical, usually perfect. Like ray flowers but perfect

Pappus

sepals on an Asteraceae. Fluffy

Discoid head

contains only disc flowers

Radiate head

contains disc and ray flowers

Ligulate head

contains only ligulate flowers

Lamiaceae

Leaves opposite, simple, entire. Stems square, glandular hairs. Very fragrant (minty). Spike-like raceme or axillary. Petals 5, connate, forming two “lips”. Didynamous. Style gynobasic. Gynecium deeply 4 lobed. Fruit is schizocarp (usually). Ca5 (fused), Co(z)2+3 (fused and fused to A), A2+2 (fused), G2 (superior)

Didynamous

2 different lengths of stamen

Gynobasic

attached to base of gynecium

Plantaginaceae

Leaves alternate or opposite, simple. Stems round. Inflorescence: various. Flowers small to conspicuous. Petals 5, forming two “lips.” Didynamous, stamens 4. Additional staminode. Fruit is a many-seeded capsule. Ca4-5 (fused), Co(Z or A) (fused and fused to A), A2+2, G2 (fused and superior)

Staminode

nonfunctional stamen

Apocynaceae

Leaves opposite or whorled, simple, and entire. Latex present. Cyme. Petals 5, connate, forming cup-like corolla. Stigma enlarged, plate-like. Paired follicle, berry, or drupe. Seeds with floofy hairs. Ca5, Co5 (fused to A), A5, G2 (superior)

Gynostegium

fusion of anther and stigma

Pollinium

cluster of pollen

Solanaceae

Leaves alternate, simple, no stipules, often extremely toxic, strong odor, extremely fused petals. Inflorescence cymose, berries or capsules. Ca5 (fused), Co5 (fused and fused to A), A5, G2 (fused and superior)

Plicate corolla

petals are folded

Convolculaceae

Leaves alternate, simple or lobed, no stipules. Latex. Cymose or single. Capsule. Seeds with hairs or bumps. Stamens adnate to corolla. Ca5, Co5 (fused and fused to A), A5, G2 (fused and superior)

Apiaceae

Leaves alternate, very divided. Sheathing at petiole base. Strongly aromatic, frequently toxic. Umbel, schizocarp. Ca5, Co5, A5, G2 (fused and inferior)

Campanulaceae

Leaves alternate, simple. Stipules absent. Latex. Usually raceme. Capsule or berry. 2 subfamilies

Pollination with plunger mechanism

Stamens form tube, style and stigma push through, present pollen to pollinators. Stigmas eventually curl and can self pollinate