Plant Sys Final Exam Content

(WILL ADD PREVIOUS MATERIAL HIGHLIGHT IN STUDY GUDIE FOR CUMMALTIVE PORTION)

How many species, families, and what percentage of the Asterids clade make up the angiosperms?

Species = ~80,000

Families = ~100

Percentage of Angiosperms = 1/3

What is a general floral characteristic of the Asterids clade?

Generally, have flowers with petals that are fused.

What orders are sister to the core Asterids?

Cornales

Ericales

Cornales - Cornaceae, describe.

• Dogwood family

arcuate venation: main veins curve to

follow the blade margin

Bracts are common

Very reduced individual flowers (reduced sepals and inferior ovary)

Ericales (the mix between asterids and rosids features)- Ericaceae, describe.

• Heath/Blueberry family

Strong mycorrhizal relationships: mutualism:

• Nutrient and mineral exchange, root to fungus connection

• Plants get nutrients/minerals ←→ Fungus gets carbon/sugar

Leaves adapted for challenging conditions

How do the anthers often open in Ericaceae? What kind of pollination do they use?

-by pores or slits

-Buzz pollination

Some members of the Ericaceae family are Mycotrophs, what does this mean?

• No chlorophyll – total parasites

• Evolved from within the mycorrhizal

members of the family

• Get food, nutrients, and water from the

host fungus

Describe Ericales -Theaceae.

• Tea & camellia family

What are the three common asterid characters (predominantly in the core asterids)?

1. fused petals

2. stamens fused to corolla tube

3. stamen number ≤ petal number

Describe the Gentianales synapomorphies.

1. Opposite leaves

2. hairs on leaf base that produce a sticky secretion

3. Contorted corolla

4. Iridoids- alkaloid compounds produced for defense

Describe Gentianales -Rubiaceae Family.

• Coffee family

• Alkaloids common

Describe Gentianales - Apocynaceae Family

• Milkweed family

• Produce milky sap, cardiac glycosides & alkaloids

two separate ovaries, one fused style

Have highly modified flowers:

• pollinarium: specialized pollen transport

• pollinia: two masses of pollen grains

• translator arms unite pollinia

Describe the relationship between Monarchs and milkweeds (Asclepias)

Milkweeds are the only food source for larvae of monarch butterflies, which sequester the cardiac glycosides.

Describe the Solanales synapomorphies.

1. Alternate leaves

2. Folded (plicate) corolla

3. Calyx persistent in fruit

Describe Solanales-Solanaceae family

• Nightshade family

• Calyx persistent

• Tropane alkaloids occur naturally in many members of the family = Include atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine (main 3), Competitive antagonist of main neurotransmitters

Economic importance: Tomatoes, Peppers, Tabacco, most poisonous plant

Describe Lamiales-Lamiaceae family

• Mint family

• Glandular hairs with oils

Square stems and opposite leaves

Bilabiate or 2-lipped corolla

Style with 4-lobed ovary

Begin Campanulids, Describe Dipsacales-Caprifoliaceae family

• Honeysuckle family

Elongated style

Describe Apiales-Apiaceae Family

• Carrot family

• Stems have hollow internodes

• Swollen style base

Describe the Asterales synapomorphies

1. Inferior gynoecium

2. Secondary pollen presentation

3. Valvate petals: meet at edges without overlapping

4. Latex common

Describe Asterales-Asteraceae Family

• Sunflower family

• Largest family of angiosperms (next are Orchidaceae and Poaceae)

What are some common features of Asteraceae?

1. Flowers clustered into inflorescences

2. Secondary pollen presentation

3. Diverse secondary chemistry: polyacetylenes, sequiterpene lactones, terpenes, alkaloids, latexes (some are poisonous!)

Flowers clustered in inflorescences are called what?

heads, capitula, or pseudanthia

Inflorescence surrounded by an involucre of bracts, called what?

phyllaries

What is the difference between a disk floret and a ray floret? What about Discoid heads and Radiate heads?

Disk - Usually sexual

Ray - Often sterile

Discoid heads are composed of just disk florets. Radiate heads are made of both disk and ray florets.

What percentage of eudicots does Asterales make up?

14% of eudicot diversity