FSTY201 - Plant Families and Characteristics

Pinacea

Conifers that are generally all trees

2-100m tall

Branches are subopposite or whorled

Leaves are spirally arranged needles

Female cones are large, male cones are small

Cupressaceae

(cypresses/ cedars)

Leaves are either acicular or scale-like

If acicular, they are short, divergent and in whorls of 3

If scale-like, they are thick and appressed in alternating pairs (shoot shape will vary with genus)

Araceae

(Arum lilies/ philodendron)

Perennial herb forms from tubers or corms

Displays a spathaccous infloresence

Basal leaves are long-petioled and large

Fruit are berry-like

Liliaceae

(Lily family)

Perennial herb with rhizomes, bulbs and fleshy roots

Leaves are parallel-veined, basal and alternate or whorled

Flowers are actinomorphic, large and showy, usually in 3’s

Fruit is a 3 chambered capsule or berry

Asparagaceae

(Asparagus family)

Melanthiaceae

(Bunchflower family)

Typhaceae

(Cat-tail family)

Orchidaceae

(Orchid family)

Flowers are bilaterally symmetrical, pretty

Have 3 sepals and 3 petals with an inferior ovary

Fruit is a one chambered capsule

Sapindaceae

(Soapberry family)

Horsechestnuts and maples

Apiaceae

(Carrot family)

Araliaceae

(Ivy family)

Asteraceae

(Sunflower family)

Infloresence looks like a sinle flower (composite), composed of ray and disk flowers

Caprifoliaceae

(Honeysuckle family)

Adoxaceae

(Moschatel family)

Cornaceae

(Dogwood family)

Opposite leaf pairing, simple and entire edge

Flowers are inconspicuous and surrounded by large white bracts. Flowers are white and in terminal clusters that are surrounded by 4-5 bracts

Calyx of 4-5 sepals, corolla of 4-5 distinct petals

Androecium of 4-5 stamens

Gynoecium of 2 united carpels

Inferior ovary

Fruits are in terminal clusters above bracts, they are small and white/ red

Berry-like drupes are white

Berry forms are red

Elaeagnaceae

(Oleaster family)

Ericaceae

(Heath family)

Fagaceae

(Oak family)

Trees or shrubs that are monoecious

Leaves are alternate, simple and pinnately veined

Staminate flowers are a spike or head-like catkin. Calyx is 2-8 lobes. 3-40 stamens present

Pistillate flowers in groups of 1-3

Ovary is inferior (3-6 locules and stigmas). 2 ovules per locule

Fruit is a nut surrounded by an enlarged, bristled involucrure

Betulaceae

(Birch family)

Deciduous trees/ shrubs

Monoecious

leaves are simple and pinnately veined

Buds have 2 or more scales

Staminate catkins are elongate and pendulous. 2 or more flowers per bract. 2 or more stamens

Pistillate flowers are subtended or enveloped by bracts. Ovary 2 chambered with 2 ovules.

Fruit is a one seeded nut (or winged nutlet)

Grossulariaceae

(Carrot family)

Oleaceae

(Olive family)

Onagraceae

(Evening primrose family)

Ranunculaceae

(Buttercup family)

Perennials

Flower structure ranged from a ring of simple petals to highly modified flowers of fused petals

Flowers typically contain large numbers of stamens and pistils

Fruits vary from simple seeds in large clusters to follicles and berries

Rosaceae

(Rose family)

Trees, shrubs and herbs

Leaves are alternate, simple/compound and usually stipulate

Actinomorphic flowers, clustered or single, bisexual, parts in multiples of 5. Numerous stamens

Fruit is dry and small, either opening pods, 1-seeded dry fruit or aggregate of seeds or various fleshy fruit

Rubiaceae

(Bedstraw family)

Salicaceae

(Willow family)

Dioecious

Each flower occurs singly on the axil of a bract

No protective involucure

Ovary contains many ovules

Fruit is a capsule that splits open

Salix catkins are stiff

Saxifragaceae

(Saxifrage family)

Scapose flowers usually in association with a basal rosette

Leaves are alternate and estipulate

Flowers are bisexual and actinomorphic, in racemes or cymes

Calyx of 5 sepals, corolla of 5 petals

Adroecium of 5 to 10 stamens

Gynoecium of 2 carpels, fused

Ovary is superior and flowers are perigynous

Fruit is a capsule

Scophulariaceae

(Figwort family)

Malvaceae

(Mallow family)

Ulmaceae

(Elm family)