Flowering Plants – Complete Flashcards Deck

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering various families and characteristics of flowering plants, providing questions and answers for exam preparation.

What is the approximate number of species in the Rose Family (Rosaceae)?

Over 3,000 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs.

What is the flower structure of the Rose Family?

Basal parts fused into a cup with petals, sepals, and many stamens attached to the rim.

How is the Rose Family subdivided?

By flower structure and fruit type.

What are some economically important plants in the Rose Family?

Stone fruits (cherries, peaches, plums), pome fruits (apples, pears), aggregate fruits (strawberries, raspberries), ornamentals (roses).

Which vitamin is found in rose hips?

Vitamin C.

What rank does the Legume Family (Fabaceae) hold in size among flowering plants?

It is the third largest, with about 13,000 species.

What is the distribution of the Legume Family?

Cosmopolitan (worldwide).

What type of flower symmetry do legumes have?

Radial to bilateral.

How are stamens arranged in the Legume Family?

Fused into a tube around the ovary.

What is the fruit type of the Legume Family?

Legume.

Name some important crops from the Legume Family.

Peas, beans, soybeans, peanuts, alfalfa, sweet clover, licorice, carob.

Where are Spurge Family plants found?

Tropical and temperate regions.

What are two economically important plants from the Spurge Family?

Cassava (staple food), Para rubber tree (rubber latex).

What is unique about the flower structure of the Spurge Family?

Stamens and pistils are in separate flowers; often lack corolla.

What is the name of the inflorescence in the Spurge Family?

Cyathium.

Describe the structure of a cyathium.

Female flower elevated on stalk (gynophore) surrounded by male flowers on a cup of fused bracts, sometimes with glands or colored bracts (poinsettia).

How many species are there in the Cactus Family (Cactaceae)?

Over 1,500 species.

Where are cacti native?

Only to the Americas, in dry subtropical regions.

What are the leaves of cacti like?

Reduced, often spines.

What structure in cacti stores water?

Fleshy stems.

Describe cactus flowers.

Showy, numerous petals, sepals, and stamens, with an inferior ovary forming a berry.

Do cacti produce edible fruit?

Yes, e.g., prickly pear fruits.

How many species are in the Mint Family (Lamiaceae)?

About 3,000.

What are some unique traits of Mint Family plants?

Square stems, opposite leaves, bilaterally symmetrical flowers.

What type of ovary do mint plants have?

Superior and four-parted, forming four nutlets.

What do mint plants produce and what are they used for?

Mint oils used medicinally and antiseptically.

Name some species in the Mint Family.

Rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, basil, lavender, catnip, peppermint, spearmint.

What compound is found in mint oils and what are its uses?

Menthol – in toothpaste, candy, gum, liqueurs, cigarettes.

How many species are in the Nightshade Family (Solanaceae)?

About 3,000.

Where are Nightshade Family plants concentrated?

Tropics of Central and South America.

Describe the flower traits of the Nightshade Family.

Fused petals; stamens fused to corolla; superior ovary becomes berry or capsule.

What are some common crops in the Nightshade Family?

Tomato, potato, eggplant, pepper, tobacco, petunia.

Why are some Nightshade Family plants dangerous?

Many are poisonous; some contain drugs like atropine, scopolamine, and capsicum.

What plant was historically used for asthma?

Jimson weed.

Approximately how many species are in the Carrot Family (Apiaceae)?

About 2,000.

Where is the Carrot Family distributed?

Northern Hemisphere.

What are some characteristic features of Carrot Family plants?

Aromatic herbs with dissected leaves, sheathing petioles, and umbels of small flowers.

What type of ovary do Carrot Family plants have?

Inferior with a two-lobed stigma.

Name some edible or spice plants from the Carrot Family.

Dill, celery, carrot, parsley, coriander, fennel, anise, caraway, parsnip.

What is an example of a poisonous member of the Carrot Family?

Water hemlock – the poison that killed Socrates.

How many species are in the Pumpkin Family (Cucurbitaceae)?

About 700.

What is the growth form of the Pumpkin Family?

Prostrate or climbing herbaceous vines.

What type of flowers do members of the Pumpkin Family have?

Unisexual, fused petals.

What is the female flower ovary like in the Pumpkin Family?

Inferior, made of three carpels.

Name some common crops from the Pumpkin Family.

Pumpkins, squashes, cucumbers, cantaloupes, gourds.

Are there any members of the Pumpkin Family that are no longer found in the wild?

Yes, due to long cultivation.

What is the rank of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) in size?

Second largest flowering plant family (~20,000 species).

Name some common members of the Sunflower Family.

Dandelion, lettuce, chicory, artichoke, chrysanthemum, marigold, sunflower, thistle.

What is a spice derived from the Sunflower Family?

Tarragon.

What is a single 'sunflower' composed of?

Many florets arranged in a compact inflorescence that resembles a single flower.

What is the pollination method in the Grass Family (Poaceae)?

Wind-pollinated.

Describe the flower structure in the Grass Family.

Calyx and corolla are tiny scales; flowers protected in boat-shaped bracts; exposed feathery stigmas; leaf bases sheath stems.

What are the major cereals produced by the Grass Family?

Wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, corn.

What is the source of sugar found in the Grass Family?

Sugar cane – juice squeezed and crystallized; molasses as byproduct.

What are some other uses of the Grass Family?

Baskets, fibers, thatching, citronella oil.

How many species are in the Lily Family (Liliaceae)?

About 4,550.

What is the habitat range of the Lily Family?

Almost anywhere vegetation exists.

What are the flower features of the Lily Family?

Large flowers, with parts in multiples of three; sepals and petals often similar.

Name some common members of the Lily Family.

Lilies, daffodils, asparagus, Aloe, onions, garlic.

What medicinal compound is sourced from the Lily Family?

Meadow saffron (colchicine – for rheumatism).

What is the house plant from the Lily Family known for fiber use?

Bowstring hemp (Sansevieria) – for string, rope, bowstrings.

How large is the Orchid Family (Orchidaceae)?

Over 35,000 species.

What is the habitat range of the Orchid Family?

Widespread, especially abundant in tropics.

Describe the flower characteristics of the Orchid Family.

Extremely diverse; often epiphytic on trees; some aquatic or terrestrial.

What is a unique feature of orchids in relation to their pollinators?

Highly specialized adaptations, sometimes bizarre.

What product is derived from orchids?

Vanilla.

How many sepals and petals do orchids have?

Three each, with one petal (lip) distinct.

What is the 'column' in orchid flowers?

Fused stamens and pistil structure.

What are pollinia in orchids?

Sacs of pollen in the anthers.

Describe orchid seeds in terms of size and germination requirements.

Minute, few-celled; require a specific mycorrhizal fungus to germinate.

Name two major groups of flowering plants.

Dicots and Monocots.

What are some example families of Dicots?

Rose, Mint, Legume, Sunflower.

What are some example families of Monocots?

Grass, Lily, Orchid.

Who identified eight centers of crop diversity?

N.I. Vavilov.

What family does cinnamon belong to?

Laurel Family (Lauraceae).

Which family includes tomatoes and tobacco?

Nightshade Family (Solanaceae).

Which family produces legumes as fruit?

Legume Family (Fabaceae).