PLANT FAMILIES - LAB

Morphology (common plant parts)

Therapeutically (common pharmacologic use)

Chemical constituent (common active constituent)

Taxonomy (plant relationship)

Classification of plants could be by:

To help identify a new plant

To give an idea what a plant looks like

Why we need to learn about plant families

Apiaceae

formerly known as Umbelliferae

Carrot, Parsnip, Celery, Fennel

Some of well-known vegetables and herbs in Apiaceae family are:

Apiaceae

Most members of this family are soft-stemmed annuals, biennials or perennials

Annual

It is a characteristic where plants complete a cycle within one season and die every after year

Biennials

It is a characteristic where plants require 2 years to complete a cycle

1st year - roots, leaves, stems

2nd year - fruits & flowers

Perennials

Synonyms of perpetual or continuing

Perennials

It is a characteristic where they use the same root system for multiple years

Apiaceae

• Their flowers grow in umbels or clusters forming an umbrella shape.

• The flowers have stalks of different lengths so that all the flowers are the same height so that the umbel has a flat top.

• The flower head may be a single umbel or many smaller umbels making up a large 'flower’.

• Some individual flower has five petals and five stamens, and they are generally small and insignificant, even in an umbel.

• The outer flowers may have some larger and some smaller petals. They are very often white, sometimes cream, yellow or pink.

Umbels

Flat-topped/ rounded clusters of flowers with individual stalks radiating from the same point

• Anthocyanins = red, purple, blue flowers

• Carotenoids = red, yellow, orange flowers

The main pigments found from the flowers of the Apiaceae family are:

Pelargonidin & cyanidin

They are responsible for the shade of red, purple and pink

Delphinidin

It is responsible for the blue pigment but cannot be synthesized

Daucus carota

Scientific name of carrot

Apium graveolens

Scientific name of celery

Petroselinum crispum

Scientific name of parsley

Centella asiatica /Takip kuhol

According to NIH:

• Wound healing

• Eczema

• Psoriasis

• Diarrhea

• Fever

Peucedanum japonicum /Coastal hog fennel

According to NIH:

• Inflammatory-related diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)

Apocynaceae

This family is aka Dogbane or Periwinkle family

Apocynaceae

• This is a large Family with about 1500 species found mainly in tropical regions (Oleander, Frangipani, Allamanda, Mandevilla)

• Many are large trees with buttress roots found in rainforests, some are smaller, evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs or climbers from other warm areas of the world, and one or two are found in temperate regions (Vinca)

Apocynaceae

• The leaves and stems of this family once broken produce a milky/latex-like sap which is often toxic

• It is also often of economic importance for medicinial use, or for the production of rubber

Apocynaceae

Characteristics of this family:

• Leaves, Stem & Roots ~ Leaves are simple and undivided, and are either opposite or in rings around the stem.

• Flowers ~ There is a calyx with five parts, either separate or joined to form a tube. The flowers are in clusters and are often large and showy. They usually have five petals joined into a tube at the base. There are five stamens joined together.

Apocynaceae & Solanaceae

Most parts of many members of these Plant Families are POISONOUS

Anodendron parviflorum/Bikat

Studies have suggested:

• Cytotoxic

• Antibacterial

Anodendron parviflorum/Bikat

Folkloric uses:

• Ulcers

• Vomiting

• Cough

Cerbera odollam/Pong-pong

According to NIH, the seeds contain a toxin called cerberin, which causes cardiac arrest

Catharanthus roseus

Scientific name of Periwinkle/Madagascar Periwinkle

Nerium oleander

Scientific name of Oleander

Asteraceae

This family is formerly known as Compositae

Asteraceae

This is one of the largest plant families, It includes shrubs, perennials and annuals, but not trees or aquatics.

the Aster

Recently, the international panel of botanists who rule on these things decided that all plant families ought to have the same ending (-aceae) and be named after a plant typical of the family, so the family is now called Asteraceae after the type plant..

Asteraceae

This family is also calles as the SAD (sunflower, aster, daisy) family

Compositae

It is derived from the greek word ‘compositus’, which means composed/clustered together

Asteraceae

They have small individual flowers to form a singe head (disc florets) and ray florets on the outside of the flower head

Gerbera jamesonii

What is the scientific name of Gerbera daisy

Leucanthenum x superbum

What is the scientific name of Shasta daisy

Taraxacum officinale

What is the scientific name of Dandelions

Helianthus annuus

What is the scientific name of Sunflower

Acmella or Toothache plant

Folkloric use:

• Toothache remedy

• Anti-inflammatory

• Insecticide

• Ornamental

Blumea balsamifera/Sambong

Often used as:

• Diuretic

• Anti-hyperuricemic

Boraginaceae

• Most of them are herbs, although there are some woody plants

• Most of them are grown as ornamental plants, although some are a source of dye or have medicinal uses.

Boraginaceae

• This plant family’s stems are usually covered in rough hairs, as are the leaves and inflorescence

• The leaves are generally alternate, simple and entire, without stipules

Stipules

These are small leaf-like structure found at the base of a stalk

They are also responsible for providing protection & support to growing buds

They prevent herbivores from eating plants

Boraginaceae

Members of this Family usually have:

• Blue flowers in a coiled inflorescence

• Hairy stems and leaves

• No stipules

• Four seeds

• Usually annual or perennial herbaceous plants

• Ovary is superior

Borago officinalis/Borage

Studies have suggested:

• Anti-inflammatory

• Diuretic

Uses:

• Soothe inflammation

• Eczema

Symphytum officinale/Comfrey

Historical uses:

• Wound healing

• Inflammation

Myosotis scorpioides

What is the scientific name of Forget me nots

Heliotropium arborescens

What is the scientific name of Heliotrope

Brassicaceae

• This is a large family with many plants of major economic importance, including many familiar vegetables (Cabbage, Turnip), oil crops (Oil-seed Rape), ornamental plants (Wallflower, Alyssum), and weeds (Bittercress).

• They are mostly annual or perennial herbaceous plants

The cabbage family

Brassicaceae aka

Cruciferae

Brassicaceae is formerly known as

The daisy family

Asteraceae aka

Borage family

Boraginaceae aka

Cruciferae

• This former name came from the word ‘crucifer’ which means cross-bearing

• It is changed to Brassicaceae because of the genus Brassica

Brassicaceae

Members of this Family usually have:

• Four petalled flowers in a cross shape

• Clusters of flowers

Glucosinolates

• They are responsible for the taste & odor.

• They are responsible for the health benefits associated with Brassicaceae

Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis/Pak choi, Bok choy, or Pechay

• Contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

• Anti-inflammatory

Folkloric uses:

• Anti-inflammatory

• Digestive

Raphanus sativus/Radish or Labanos

Folkloric uses:

• Indigestion

• Flatulence

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

What is the scientific name of cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. butrytis

What is the scientific name of cauliflower

The pea family

Fabaceae aka

Leguminosae

Fabaceae is formerly known as

Fabaceae

• It includes many well-known vegetables particularly of temperate regions (Beans, Peas), ornamental trees in tropical regions (Bauhinia, Flamboyant, Cassia), fodder crops (Clover, Lucerne) and weeds (Vetches and Trefoils), and their growth habits vary from ground cover and aquatic to shrubs, climbers and trees.

• Many species of trees in this family are important for their timber.

Fabaceae

Members of this Family usually have:

• Pea flowers

• Nodules on the roots

• Pinnate leaves

• Seeds in pods like peas or beans

Fabaceae

• Many members of this family have flowers of the typical 'pea' type. These are composed of one large back petal (the standard), two side petals called wings and two lower petals fused together to form a 'keel'.

• It is the seedpods that give this family its original name. The typical pea-pod shape is a legume. It is always a single chamber

Myctinasty

It is the movement in response to the onset of darkness or sleeping movements

Nodules

It is present in the roots of the Fabaceae and it’s purpose is to absorb Nitrogen from air in the soil thus making it possible for plants with these to grow even in poor soil quality

Cajanus cajan/Pigeon pea or Kadyos (naturalized to PH)

Folkloric uses:

• Cough

• Fever

• Digestive disorders

Sesbania grandiflora/Sesbania, Katmon, or Katmonan (naturalized to PH)

Folkloric uses:

• Antimicrobial

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antipyretic

Pisum sativum

Scientific name of pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Scientific name of sweet pea

The potato family/ Nightshade family

Solanaceae aka

Solanaceae

• It is a family mainly of herbs, with a few shrubs and trees, and contains many of our most well-known food plants, including Potatoes, Tomatoes, Aubergines and Peppers.

• There are several poisonous species, including

1. Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna),

2. Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) and

3. Thorn Apple (Datura stramonium),

4. and the family also contains the important economic plant, Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), which contains the highly toxic alkaloid nicotine.

Solanaceae

Members of this Family usually have:

• Regular flowers with five petals

• Alternate leaves

• Five stamens attached to the corolla tube

• Superior ovary containing many yellowish disc-shaped seeds

Capsicum frutescens/Chili pepper or Siling labuyo (naturalized to PH)

• Mainly used for culinary purposes but also serves medicinal uses:

• Stimulates digestion

• Relieves nasal congestion and improves breathing

Datura metel/Angel’s trumpet or Talampunay (naturalized to PH)

Caution is advised due to its toxicity but it has also been used for the following purposes:

• Analgesic

• Antispasmodic

• Sedative

Superior ovary

The ovary is located above the other floral parts

Inferior ovary

The ovary is located below the other floral parts

Solanum tuberosum

Scientific name of potato

Solanum lycopersicum

Scientific name of tomato

Capsicum annuum

Scientific name of bell pepper

Nicotiana tabacum

Scientific name of nicotine

Atropa belladonna

Scientific name of deadly nightshade

The bedstraw family

Rubiaceae aka

Rubiaceae

• This is one of the largest flowering plant families, with around 7,000 species, most of them occurring in tropical regions of the world, where they are mainly woody trees and shrubs.

•  In the tropics, many have economic uses - Coffee (Coffea arabica), Quinine (Cinchona), or are conspicuous ornamentals (Ixora, Gardenia)

Rubiaceae

Members of this Family usually have:

• Many small flowers in dense clustered heads

• Leaves opposite or in whorls

• Stipules

• Inferior ovary

•  Are usually woody trees and shrubs in tropical areas, or small herbaceous plants in temperate zones

Coffea arabica/Arabica coffee/Green coffee

• It is native to Ethiopia but naturalized to PH

Uses:

• Stimulant to increase alertness and improve cognitive function

Diplospora negrosensis

Native and endemic to PH (Negros)

Cinchona officinalis

Scientific name of cinchona

The rose family

Rosaceae aka

Rosaceae

Members of this Family usually have:

• Woody stems, often with prickles, or trailing stems with runners

• Simple or compound leaves, often evergreen

• Stipules at the base of the leaf

• Large flowers often showy with five petals or clusters of tiny flowers with five petals

• Many stamens

• Are usually woody trees, shrubs or climbers

Rubus rosifolius/Himalayan Blackberry, Sagmit, or Sapinit

Folkloric uses:

• Decoction of roots as expectorant

• Fruit as demulcent

• Decoction of leafy stems for fevers

Demulcent

It is an oily/greasy substance used to soothe inflamed mucous membranes & protect them from further irritiation

Rosa spp.

Scientific name of rose

Malus domestica

Scientific name of apple

The lily family

Liliaceae aka

Liliaceae

Members of this Family usually have:

• Bulbs or other storage organs

• Long, thin leaves

• Six petals

• Six stamens

• Seed capsule which forms inside the flower

• Has a parallel venation

• Monocotyledons (1 seed leaf)

Allium sativum/Garlic or Bawang

Uses:

• Hyperlipidemia

• Hypertension

• Arteriosclerosis

Lilium philippinense/Benguet lily or Philippine lily

Usually used as ornaments during weddings