Key Characters of some major Angiosperm Families

Key Characters of some major Angiosperm Families

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  Presented By- YOGITA SHARMA Dept.Of Botany UNIVERSITY OF RAJASTHAN, JAIPUR yogita013@gmail.com KEY CHARACTERS OF SOME MAJOR ANGIOSPERM FAMILIES
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  RANUNCULACEAE- BUTTERCUP FAMILY a. Herbs,shrubs or vines. b. FOLIAR SPUR is a characteristic feature which functions as nectary. c. Petals and sepals present or absent. If absent they are reduced to tepals, tepaloids or completely absent. If present then they are usually 5 in number. d. Stamens numerous & spirally arranged. e. 3 to many- carpellary, rarely monocarpous ( Delphinium) radially arranged. f. Ovary superior with parietal placentation (Caltha), basal ovule (Ranunculus), axile (Nigella). g. Fruit- follicle, achene (Ranunculus), berry (Actaea), capsule (Nigella). Aquilegia
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  CARYOPHYLLACEAE- CARNATION FAMILY a. Usuallyherbs. Rich in anthocyanins. Leaves connected by a swollen NODAL LINE. b. Flowers are bisexual. c. ANDROGYNOPHORE is the key character. It is a stalk bearing both Androecium & Gynoecium of a flower above the level of perianth. d. Tepals present. True petals absent. Outer whorls of 4-5 stamens modified as ‘petals” which are bilobed differentiated as basal claw and apical blade. e. Stamens 4-10. Carpels 2-5. Ovary superior with free- central placentation (occasionally axile or basal). f. Fruit- loculicidal capsule or Urticle. g. Eg. Dianthus (carnation), Silene (catchfly), Gypsophila (baby’s breath), Agrostemma. Dianthus Androgynophore
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  STERCULIACEAE FAMILY a. Familymemebers now distributed in various sub-families of Malvaceae. b. Habit can be woody, shrub or herbaceous. c. Infloresence is usually cyme, cauliflorous (KEY CHARACTER). Arise directly on the main branch of the tree, as in case of Threobrma (cacao). d. Flowers bisexual. e. In Threobroma, each petal bulges out , constricts and expands apically as a tip. f. Stamens numerous. Outer whorls reduced to staminodes. Inner whorls sometimes form staminal tube. g. Hypanthium absent. h. Fruit- fleshy. i. Eg. Dombeya, Threobroma cacao, Sterculia. CAULIFLORY Dombeya
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  Sterculia with cauliflorouscondition.
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  RHAMNACEAE- BUCKTHORN FAMILY a. Trees,shrubs with thorns, or lianas. Roots sometime contains N2- fixing bacteria. b. Inflorescence is determinate. With inconspicuous flowers which can be clustered or solitary. c. Hypanthium present which is disc-like. d. Distinct sepals & petals. e. Anthers 4-5 . Lie opposite to petals which enclose them like a concave hood. f. Carpels 3-4, connate. Placentation- axile. g. A nectar producing disc is present on the inner surface of hypanthium. h. Fruit- dehiscent to indehiscent drupe. i. Eg. Rhamnus (buckthorn), Zizyphus, Hovenia dulcis (resin tree)etc. Rhamnus
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  LEGUMINOSAE/ FABACEAE- PEA FAMILY a.2nd most economically important family after Poaceae. b. Food plants- Arachis, Cajanus, Glycine, Cicer, Pisum sativum, Phaseolus, Tamarindus, Melilotus (sweet clover), Lupinus, Lathyrus, Laburnum, Acacia, Delonix, Albizia, Dalbergia, Pterocarpus (Red sandal wood) c. Trees, shrubs, herbs, lianas with climbing tendrils. Roots with high nitrogen fixation capacity. Due to presence of root nodules. d. Leaves alternate, Bi- to tripinnate. Leaves and leaflets have a well developed pulvinus, stipulate. e. Stipules can be inter or intra. Can be also modified into spines. f. Inflorescence- raceme g. Flowers bisexual with cup-shaped Hypanthium. h. Nectaries present on petiole. i. Three sub-families are recognized under Fabaceae.  CAESALPINIOIDEAE  MIMOSOIDEAE  PAPILIONOIDEAE
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  Mimosoideae a. Includes about40 genera and 2500 species. b. Habit- trees, shrubs, occasionally herbs. c. Leaves- usually bi-pinnate or tri- pinnate. d. Flowers – small, inconspicuous, present in clusters or inflorescence. e. Corolla- radial, valvate aestivation. f. Flower individually not showy. g. Stamens indefinite long and prominent. h. Carpel- unilocular, superior ovary, ovules borne in 2 rows. i. Pleurogram present on the seed. j. Eg.- Acacia, Albizia, Mimosa, Prosopis etc. PROSOPIS
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  Caesalpinioideae a. Trees, shrubs,rarely herbs. b. Pinnate to bipinnate. c. Flowers open sequentially. d. Flowers show distinct imbricate aestivation that is Ascending Imbricate type. e. In this type of aestivation the petal near the mother axis is the innermost i.e. the posterior one. f. Stamens are 10, arranged as 3+4+3, interose, usually not showy. g. Half inferior, half- superior ovary. h. Pollens shed as monads. i. Pleurogram is lacking. j. Eg.- Bauhinia, Delonix, Cassia, Caesalpinia, Parkinsonia, Tamarindus etc. Delonix
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  Papilionoideae a. Herbs, shurbsor trees. b. Pinnarely compound, trifoliate & unifoliate. c. Flowers open sequentially. d. Imbricate aestivation. e. Descending imbricate, also called Vexillary, i.e. the posterior petal is the outer most and largest- BANNER. f. 2 basal petals are connate, called KEEL. The remaining 2 are called Wings. g. Stamens 10 or 9+1 h. Pollen- monad type i. Pleurogram absent. j. Eg.- Pisum sativum, Lathyrus, Phaseolus, Lupinus, Vicia, Arachis, Glycine etc. Indigofera
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  CUCURBITACEAE- CUCURBIT FAMILY a. Herbacioussoft or woody vines with spirally modified tendrils borne on nodes. b. Simple leaves, alternate, palmately lobed with teeth of cucurbitoid type. c. Flowers are usually unisexual, Hypanthium present. d. Sepals-5 reduced. Petals-5 gamopetalous, bell shaped with a narrow tube and flaring lobes. e. Staminate flowers- 3 stamens . Anthers free or fused but filaments always fused- condition known as SYNANDROUS f. Pistillate flowers. Carpels- 3, syncarpous, stigmas are free and each is bi-lobed. Style single and ovary inferior. g. Placentation- parietal. h. Fruit- Pepo. Indehiscent, with hard rind and fleshy mesocarp. Numerous seeds present on each placenta. Seeds are flat and several layered. Leaf teeth
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  APIACEAE- CARROT FAMILY a. Alsoknown as Umbelliferae. b. Usually herbs, aromatic with hollow stems in internodal region containing secretory canals. c. Leaves can be simple or compound, Stipules absent. d. Inflorescence is characteristic- Determinate Head; Simple or Compund. (UMBEL) subtended by an involucre of bract. e. Flowers are bisexual, small, radial, Sepals-5, reduced; petals-5 distinct develoing from a ring of primordium; usually inflexed. f. Stamens-5 distinct. g. Carpel- 2 syncarpous,with inferior ovary. Placentation- axile. h. Stigma-2 i. Styles- swollen from base, modified as a nectar secreting structure- STYLOPODIUM atop ovary. j. Ovules- 2 in each locule but only 1 fertile. k. Fruit- SCHIZOCARP (CREMOCARP). Oil glands (Vittae) present on fruit wall. Fruit wall can be ribbed, smooth, hairy or scaly, bristled, flattened or winged. l. Endosperm contains Petroslenic acid.
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  RUBIACEAE- COFFEE FAMILY a. Trees,herbs, shrubs or lianas containing various alkaloids, raphide crystals etc. b. Leaves opposite to whorled, stipules leaf- like; Interstipulate. c. Colleters i.e. multicellular secretory hair present on adaxial surface. d. Inflorescence- determiinate. e. Flowers bisexual, heterostylous, sometimes aggregated. f. Sepals- 4-5 gamosepalous. Petals- 4-5, wheel or funnel- shaped. g. Stamens- 4-5, epipetalous. h. Carpels- 2, syncarpous, with Inferior Ovary. i. Stigma- 1or 2, placentation- axile. j. Ovules 1 to numerous in each locule k. Nectar disc present above ovary. l. Economically important family as it provides Coffea arabica, Gardenia, Pentas, Hamelia, Rubia tinctoria- red dye. heterostyly Coffea arabica Colleters
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  ASTERACEAE- SUNFLOWER FAMILY a. Alsoknown as Compositae. b. Most advance family of Angiosperms. c. Members are shurbs, herbs or trees. Resin canals present with Laticifers. Contain Sesquiterpene lactones. d. Leaves simple, varied phyllotaxy. Ex-stipulate. e. The key character is the inflorescence- CAPITULUM. In this flowers are densly aggregated into in-determiate head that is surrounded by an involucre of bracts (Phyllaries). Flowers are called FLORETS as they are highly reduced. f. Flowers bisexual or unisexual sometimes sterile., radial or bilateral. g. Sepals are highly reduced forming characteristic hairy appendages called PAPPUS. h. Flowers are differentiated on the basis of the arrangement of petals and the reproductive organs. i. Asteraceae is divided into 2 groups on the basis of florets. j. Homogamous- when all the flowers are either Ray florets or Disc florets. k. Heterogamous- when both type of florets are present. l. Another important distinction can be made by dividing flowers as – Tubular or Ligulate. m. Tubular- 5 petals forming a tubular corolla, generally in disc florets. n. Ligulate- when bilateral corolla is formed by 1 or 2 upper lips and 3-4 lower lips; as in case of ray florets.
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  CAPITULUM INFLORESCENCE INASTERACEAE
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  Difference b/w Ray& Disc Florets Ray floret a. Found on the outside of the inflorescence; bracteate. b. The petals show modification upper ones form a ligule which can be toothed. c. Inner ones either degenerate or are reduced. d. These florets are bilateral and corolla is tongue like/ ligulate. e. Stamens are reduced or completely absent. f. TUSSILAGE- rudimentary stamens in pistillate florets. g. Ray florets are either female or sterile florets. h. Inferior ovary, basal placentation. Disc Floret a. Found on the inner side of the head. b. These are tubular florets. c. Bisexual. d. Stamens- SYNGENECIOUS i.e. anthers fused around the stigma and filaments are free. e. Carpel-2 ,stigma bifid, Inferior ovary, Basal placentation. f. Fruit- Cypsela, crowned by persistent pappus.
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  ASCLEPIADACEAE- MILKWEED FAMILY a. Thenew APG System of classification has merged this family under Apocyanaceae. b. Members are trees, herbs, shrubs, lianas, succulents, xerophytic plants which contain milky latex in their laticifers. c. Leaves are thick, sometimes reduced, succulent, stipulate or ex-stipulate. d. Collaters maybe preset. e. Inflorescence mostly cymose often raceme also. f. Distinct caly and corolla present, pentamerous. Often calyx are longer than corolla. g. Corolla shows Appendiculate structure- CORONA. h. Corona is derived from androecial tissues and can have varied characteristics. i. It maybe prsent in 2 whorls- inner & outer. j. Androecium and gyanoecium form a fused structure called- GYNOSTEGIUM. k. Carpel-2 stigmas fuse to form a disc on which anthers adhere. l. Style-syncarpous; Ovary-2 ,apocarpous, superior. m. Placentation- marginal n. Fruit- Pair of Follicles, Etaerio of Two. CORONA GYNOSTEGIUM
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  Hoya carnosa Milkweed; fruit- etaerioof two (on left) Calotropis
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  APOCYANACEAE- DOGBANE FAMILY a. Trees,shrubs, herbs, lianas, succulent; cactus-like plants. Internal phloem absent. Laticifers present. b. Cardiac glycosides present. c. Calyx and corolla pentamerous; connate. d. CORONA, GYNOSTEGIUM present. e. Stamens epipetalous. Sagitate anthers- arrow- headed. f. Pollen grains are tri-colpate. They form sticky masses called POLLINIA, which are connected to anther walls by Translators with a sticky gland- Corpusculum. g. Nectar glands present in stigmatic chambers. h. Superior ovary, fruit- Etaerio of two, follicles, berry or drupe. i. Eg.- Catharanthus, Carissa, Thivetia, Nerium, Rauvolfia, Tabernaemontana, Ceropegia, Plumeria, Allamanda etc. Stemmadenia
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  CONVOLVULACEAE- MORNING GLORY FAMILY a. Usuallyclimbers and twining herbs, often rhizomatous. b. Laticifers present, often with milky sap; alkaloid present. c. Leaves simple to compound, Ex-stipulate. d. Infloresence- determinate. Flowers- bisexual. e. Sepals-5; petals-5, gamopetalous, funnel shaped. Distinctly plicate- With fold lines. f. Corolla CONVOLUTE often with clockwise twist. g. Stamens-5, epipetalous. h. Carpel-2, syncarpous, superior ovary, axile placentation. i. Ovules-2 in each locule. Fruit- capsule. j. Lobed nectar disc present. k. Eg.- Convolvulus, Cuscuta, Jacquemontia, Evolvulus, Ipomoea etc. Ipomoea Jacquemontia
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  SOLANACEAE- POTATO FAMILY a. Trees,shrubs, herbs or vines, with internal phloem and alkaloids. b. Trichomes present. c. Leaves are ex-stipulate with OBLIQUE LEAF BASE. d. Inflorescence- cymose, terminal, appearing lateral. e. Flowers- bisexual f. Sepals-5, fused, persistent; Petas-5 fused strongly, palicate. g. Margins of petals are folded, convolute h. Anthers-5 , epipetalous i. Carpel-2 syncarpous, Ovary superior, sxile placentation with OBLIQUE SEPTUM with swollen placenta. Ovules- numerous in each locule. j. Fruit- berry, septifragal capsule. k. Eg.- Solanum, Nicotiana, Datura, Lycium, Petunia, Physalis etc.
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  ACANTHACEAE- ACANTHUS FAMILY a. Herbs,occasionally vines, shrubs or trees. Contain various Cystoliths, phenolics and alkaloids. b. Show anomalous secondary growth. c. Leaves simple to compound, ex-stipulate. d. Infloresence- various with bisexual flowers, zygomorphic, with large colorful bracts and bractlets. e. Sepals- 4-5, fused; petals-5, fused, bilobed f. Stamens-4, DIDYNAMOUS (2 long & 2 short), epipetalous, anthers hairy; pollen sacs sometimes widely seperated by a modified connective. g. Carpel-2, syncarpous, superior ovary, axile placentation. h. Stigma funnel shaped, ovules 2-10 in 2rows in each locule. i. Each ovule is borne on a modified hook shaped funiculus- RETINACULUM. j. Nectar disc present. k. Fruit- explosively dehiscent capsule l. Eg,- Barleria, Ruellia, Eranthemum, Avicennia, Acanthus, etc. retinaculum Justicia ovata
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  LAMIACEAE- MINT FAMILY a. Trees,herbs mostly shrubs with quadrangular stem in T.S. containing phenolic compounds. b. Trichomes are glandular with ethereal oils. c. Leaves usually simple, opposite or whorled, Ex-stipulate. d. Inflorescence- racemes; VERTICILLASTER. It has indeterminate main axis, and determinate lateral axes. e. Flowers develop on a node in the axils of opposite leaves. Each cluster consists of a DICHASIAL CYME with MONOCHASIAL BRANCHES. The axis of the cyme is shortened so that all the flowers arise from a single point. f. The two opposite clusters often give the appearance of whorl or verticil due to overcrowding. The VERTICILS are further arranged in a racemose fashion. g. Sepals- 5, fused, persistent; petals-5 fused, usually 2- lipped, h. Stamens-4, DIDYNAMOUS, epipetalous i. Carpel- 2, syncarpous, superior ovary, bilocular but appears tetralocular due to presence of False Septa. j. Style- GYNOBASIC i.e. arise from side of the ovary. (Salvia) k. Placentation- Axile. Salvia
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  Bi-labiate flower ofSalvia
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  POLYGONACEAE- KNOTWEED FAMILY a. Herbs,shrubs, trees or vines often with swollen node. b. Stem covered by Retrorse prickles. c. Stipulate- stipules modified into sheath (OCREA), around the stem. d. Inflorescence- racemose or cymose. e. Flowers- perianth of 6 present; or tepals- 5- QUINCUNICAL AESTIVATION. f. Stamens- 5 to 9 slightly connate. g. Carpels- 2 or 3, connate, Superior ovary with BASAL PLACENTATION. h. Ovule-1; ORTHOTROPOUS i. Nectar disc present or glands associated with stamens j. Eg.- Polygonum, Coccoloba, Fragopyrum, Rheum, Antigonon, Nemacaulis, Oxyria, Polygonella, Eriogonum etc. Coccoloba Ocrea
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  CHENOPODIACEAE - GOOSEFOOT FAMILY a. Nowconsidered as a sub-family of Amaranthaceae. b. Also known as Beet family. c. Plants mostly herbs, shrubs which are halophytic & xerophytic. d. Flowers borne as “globs”. Each flower has sepals-5, petals absent. e. Stamens-5 lie opposite to sepals, interose. f. Carpel-2, syncarpous, unilocular, superior ovary with BASAL PLACENTATION. g. Fruit- indehiscent nut or achene enclosed in a persistent perianth. h. Eg.- Chenopodium, Beta vulgaris, Spinacea, Salsola etc i. Members used in vegetables, forage, fodder, medicine. Chenopodium Salsola- saltwort (Halophyte)
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  AMARANTHACAE- AMARANTH FAMILY a.Usually herbs or suffrutescent shrubs, sometimes succulent b. C4 photosynthesis c. Leaves simple to compound, ex- stipulate. Nodes sometimes swollen. d. Inflorescence- determinate, terminal & axillary. e. Flowers- bisexual, papery bracts present, clustered f. Tepals present-3 to 5, slightly fused, green & herbaceous, white or reddish, papery or dry. g. Stamens- 3-5, opposite tepals, h. Pollens- 7- porate to polyporate. i. Carpels- 2-3, syncapous, superior ovary, BASAL PLACENTATION. j. Stigma- 1 to 3. k. Ovule- 1 or few. Achyranthes Amaranthus
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  EUPHORBIACEAE- SPURGE FAMILY a. Trees,shrubs, herbs or vines. Often with Laticifers, contain milky or colored latex. b. Leaves sometimes stipulate. Contain nectar glands at base of blade or on petiole. c. Inflorescence-cymose, highly modified into False Flowers- CYATHIUM. A cup- shaped involucre bearing several minute stamens (male flowers) and a pistillate flower consisting of an ovary on a long stalk (pedicel). The rim of the cyathium often bears one or more nectar glands and petaloid appendages. d. Sepals- 2 to 6, Petals- 0 to 6 e. Stamens- 1 to numerous f. Carpel- 3, syncarpous, superior ovary, 3- lobed, Axile Placentation. Style-3, each is bifid. g. Fruit- Schizocarp.
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  Cyathium of Euphorbia
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  CYPERACEAE- SEDGE FAMILY a. Herbs,rhizomatous, with Triangular Stem in cross – section. b. Leaves alternate consists of a sheath & blade with Conical Silica body. c. Ligule lacking. d. Inflorescence- complex arrangement of spikelets, subtended by bracts. e. Flower- bisexual or unisexual, subtended by bract f. Tepals- reduced to 3-6 scales, bristles or hair. g. Stamen- 1-3, distinct, uniporate h. Carpel- 2 to 3, fused, Superior ovary, with BASAL PLACENTATION. i. Ovule-1, Style-3 j. Fruit- achene Triangular stem in TS Spikelets with each flower subtended by a bract
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  1. Arrangement ofspikelets in Cyperace 2. Each flower is subtended by a bract 3. It differs from the inflorescence of Poaceae such that the glumes, palea & lodicules are absent in cyperaceae 4. Each flower only consists of a bract, anthers, syncarpous superior ovary. Scirpus (bulrush)
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  POACEAE- GRASS FAMILY a. Herbs,rhizomatous, but trees like bamboos in tropics. b. Stem round, hollow, jointed with silica bodies. c. Leaves, alternate, consist of sheath, blade & ligule. d. Sheath tightly encloses the stem, margins do not fuse. e. Ligule present on adaxial surface of sheath f. Leaves with parallel veination g. Inflorescence- Compound/branched Spike, Panicle, or Spike of Spikelets. h. Spikelets are arranged on an axis. Each spikelet may contain1 to numerous Florets. i. Each floret is a complex structure made up of-  GLUME- basal bract, 2 in number, enclosing the spikelet  LEMMA- these are chaff or bract like structures enclosing the floret.  PALEA- bract like structure enclosing the floret, present b/w floret and the axis of spikelet. Often translucent  AWN- straight or needle like extensions from the lemma. j. Flowers small bisexual or unisexual. Contain 2 lodicules k. Stamen- 1 to 3, 6 or numerous. Sagittate anthers l. Carpel- 3, fused, Stigma-2, hairy m. Superior ovary. n. Fruit- single caryopsis, with fruit wall fused with the seed o. Endosperm- highly modified cotyledon called- SCUTELLUM, lateral in position.
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  Floret of Poaceae Differenceb/w the Florets of Cyperaceae & Poaceae