Based on the syllabus prescribed by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University for B. Sc.II Botany, paper: VII- Taxonomy of Angiosperms.

1. Taxonomy of Angiosperms
Family-Poaceae
DR.A.S.NAIK

2. Graminae (Poaceae)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Phanerogams
• Subdivision: Angiosperms
• Class: Monocotyledons
• Order: Glumaceae
• Family:
Graminae/Poaceae
• Genus: Triticum
• Species: aestivum

3. Distribution
• Largest and most important
• 620 genera, 10,000 sp.
World wide
• In India, 240 genera, 1200
species
• Present in all regions and
habitats.
• Cereal family-starch source
• Maize, rice, wheat, barley,
jowar, sugarcane, Bamboo
imp. plants
•

4. Botanical Description-1
Vegetative morphology
Roots: Fibrous and adventitious, stilt
roots in some for additional support
Stem: Culms. Erect/Prostrate,
cylindrical, hollow internodes, solid
nodes, Terminate in inflorescence,
branched at base (Tillers).
Leaves: Simple, alternate consist
sheathing leaf base, lamina long,
narrow, linear or lanceolate,
presence of ligule at the junction of
blade and sheath.

5. Floral morphology
• Inflorescence: Basically spikelet,
each with 2-3 florets on rachilla
(central axis)
• Spikelets may form compound
inflorescences with sessile or
short pedicellate flowers. At the
base of each spikelet, 2 sterile
bracts-glumes present
• Florets: Small, reduced, each
with two bracts-Lemma (fertile)
and palea.

6. A spikelet

7. Inflorescence and kernel

9. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
A.Cereals: Food plants and alcohol
production, Fodder
i. Avena sativa (oats) ii. Hordeum vulgare
(barley), Secale cereale (Rye)
iv. Staple food: Oryza sativa (Rice),
Triticum aestivum (Wheat), Sorghum
vulgare (Jowar.
V. Sugar plant: Saccharum officinarum-
sugar cane

11. Economic importance
• B. Bamboos: Arundinaria, Dendrocalamus,
Bambusa.- Furniture, toys, Paper making,
Musical instruments (Flute)
• C. Ornamental-Lawns grasses: Cyanadon,
Poa, Jewellery making-Coix seeds.
• D. Khus-Vetiveria spp. Curtain making for
cooling effect.
• E. Broom-making- Thysanolaena, Ropes.
Mats, baskets