Lecture 13 Plant Taxonomy, Families, Plant Identification Flashcards
Taxonomy- definition, origins, advantages
Branch of science concerned with classification esp. organisms
18thC Carolinus Liannaeus (Sweden)
“Systema naturae”
Identification accuracy, more prescription options, scientific names
Give an overview of the Linnaeus System.
Explain the 2 kingdoms (plant/ animal) to the classical system of 5 kingdoms
The Linnaeus Classification System:
Rank 1
• All organisms are divided into Kingdoms (animals, plants, fungi etc.)
Rank 2
• Plant (Plantae) kingdom divided into Phyla (tribe)
Rank 3
• Phyla (s. Phylum) divided into Classes
Rank 4
• Classes divided into Natural Orders or Families
Rank 5
• Families divided into Genera (singular Genus means race, kin))
Rank 6
• Genus divided into different Species
Phylum (Pl. Phyla): from Greek Phylon – tribe.
Genus (Pl. Genera): Greek Genos – race, kin (a group with common attribut
Inventor of the binomial, two part Latin name aka scientific name
Carolinus Linnaeus
Name organisms in Rank 1: Kingdom classification
- Animals
- Plants (some species of Algae)
- Fungi, mushrooms
- Prokaryotic bacteria (monera)
- Eukaryotic organism, mostly algae (Protista)
Name 10 Phyla in the plant kingdom
- Bryophyta (mosses, liverworts, hornworts) most primitive plants, no vascular tissues
- Psilophyta (whisk forms)
- Lycopodiophyta (club-mosses, spike-mosses, quillworts).
- Equisetophyta (horsetails)
- Polypodiophyta (true ferns)
- Cycadophyta (cycads)
- Ginkgophyta (ginkgo)
- Gnetophyta (vessel-bearing gymnosperms)
- Coniferophyta (conifers
- Magnoliaphyta
Define gymnosperms and give 3 examples.
Second primitive grouping of vascular plants. Non-flowering and characterized by presence of naked seeds Cycadophyta Ginkgophyta Gnetophyta Coniferophyta
Which phyla contain all vascular, flowering plants. What other name is it known by.
Magnoliaphyta
Angiosperms (enclosed seeds)
List the four Phyla Divisions that contain all vascular plants that reproduce using spores
Psilophyta
Lycopodicophyta
Equisetophyta
Polypodiophyta
What ranks as the dominating phyla and why?
Magnoliaphyta
Diverged from gymnosperms 200 million years ago
Flowering attracts pollinating insects providing variety of seed and dispersal mechanisms
What are the two main Plant classes?
Monocotyledons
Dicotyledons
How do the seed, leaves, roots, flowers, carpels and stems vary between monocotyledons and dicotyledons?
Monocot- one seed leaf, leaf narrow parallel veins, roots adventitious, 1 part, no division between petals and sepals, 3or 6 petals, usually 3 carpels. Stems scattered vascular bundles
Dicots- two weed leaves, leaf broad reticulate veins, tap root with smaller laterals, contains sepals and petals 4 or 5, one to many carpels, stems concentrically arranged bundles
T/F most Angiosperms (flowering plants) are Dicotyledonous
T
What are the 3 Classes (Rank 3) of monoctyledonous medicinal plants
Poaceae (grasses)
Liliaceae (lily onion garlic)
Iridaceae (Iris)
Discuss the characteristics by which Plant Families (Rank 4) are categorized.
Leaf, flower and arrangement of sexual organs.
Similarities in chemical and therapeutic effects
T/F Plant families contain exclusively similar plants
F
Some are more mixed
What is the suffix added to the end of the genus name, signifying the name of the family.
‘ aceae’
Rank identifying groups of species with a common ancestor but do not interbreed, or if they do they form sterile hybrids.
Genus
Define species
Group of plants with a number of common characteristics, that can interbreed and have a common ancestor
What can the species name tell us about a plant
The species name is normally descriptive and often reveals aspects about the plant’s history, appearance, growing conditions, mythology, medicinal or ritual uses
Officinalis
Medicinal, of the pharmacopoeia
Crispus
Curled
Purpurea
Purple
Lactiflora
With milky white flowers
Tricolor
Three colours
Millefolium
Thousand leaved
Lappa
With small burrs
Lanceolata
Lance shaped
T/ F Genus may be abbreviated by capital letter if already mentioned
T
T/F only plants of the same species can interbreed without losing their characteristics
T
Describe three methods of plant variation and how they are named.
Variety- natural interbreeding. Name follows species in lower case eg Ziziphus spinoza jujube
‘Cultivar’- deliberate interbreeding, name follows species name has capital letter and is enclosed i single quotation marks eg Solanum tuberosum ‘King Edward’
Hybrids- crosses between different species and sometimes genus. Written with x before the species name. Mentha x piperita is a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint
Features of the Solanacea Family
Nightshade, contain Tropane alkaloids which have analgesic, antispasmodic, and potentially toxic in high doses
How are Asteraceae botanically identified
Leaves- alternate or opposite, no stipules, simple or compound or basal rosette
Flower- looks single (capitulum) but in fact is a composite with both ray and disk florets, bi uni or asexual
Sepals- a ring of hairs (dandelion)
Petals- 5 fused
Stamens- 5 fused together forming a tube around style
Ovary- inferior, underneath the flower
Fruit- Achene (a seed that is loosely attached inside a casing) (often with persistent pappus (parachute structure) for wind dispersal)
List 3 plants from the Asteraceae family
Arctium lappa Achillea millefolium Arnica montana Silybum marianum Calendula officinalis Echinacea purpurea
Describe how plants in the Boraginaceae family (star flower) are botanically identified
Stem- Round Leaves- simple, alternate no stipule Flowers- Regular in 5s Sepals- Long, hairy Stamens- Attahed to petal wall Ovary- Superior, 2 carpels Fruit- 4 nutlets divided into 2 carpels Others- bristly, contain mucilage
List 3 plants from the Boraginaceae Family
Borago officinalis (Borage)
Pulmonaria officinalis (Lungwort)
Symphytum officinalis (comfrey)
Botanical identification of Brassicaceae Family
Leaves- alternate, no stipules, simple/ pinnate
Flowers- cross-shaped, arranged in head/ racenes
Sepals- 4
Petals- 4
Stamens- 6 in 2 whorls
Ovary- 2 fused carpels
Fruit- Dry, seeds on central partition (Silique)
Chemistry- Glucosinolates ( break down mucus, block thyroxine synthesis and iodine uptake)
Examples of Brassicaceae Family
Amoracia rusticana (Horseradish)
Brassica nigra (Mustard)
Capsella bursa pastoris (Shepherd’s Purse)
Botanical identification of Iridaceae family
Monocotyledonous
Roots- bulbs, corms, rhizomes
Leaves- lanceolate, fibrous
Flowers- 6 segments (2 rows of 3) regular or irregular
Sepals- flower bud wrapped in paper-like swathe
Ovary- inferior (3 United carpels)
Examples of Iridaceae family
Crocus sativum (Crocus(
Iris versicolor (Blue Flag)
Botanical Identification of the Lamiaceae family (Mint)
Stem- square section
Leaves- simple no stipules, glandular hairs, opposite pairs at right angles to pair above
Flowers- irregular and in whorls at each node
Sepals- 5, united in funnel or belll shape
Petals- united usually 2 lipped but often hard to count
Stamens- normally 4 (2 long, 2 short) attached to base of petals
Examples of Lamiaceae family
Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender)
Salvia officinalis (Sage)
Fabaceae Family
Botanical Identification Criteria
Leaves- alternate with stipules, compound, trifoliate or pinnate can have tendrils for climbing
Flowers 5 free petals; hermaphrodite. 5 petals, 1 standard, 2 wings, 2 keels
Sepals- 5 fused (enclosing stem and ovary)
Stamens- 10 or more
Ovary- Superior, single
Fruit- Legume
Fabaceae Family examples
Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus root)
Cassia angustifolia (senna pod)
Glycyrrhiza Galbraith (Liquorice root)
Trifolium pratense
(Red clover)
Lilaceae Family Botanical Identification
Garlic and Onions, mostly perennial monocotyledonous plants.
Roots- usually bulbs or rhizomes
Leaves- lanceolate, parallel veins, basal rosette
Flowers- usually has 6 segments (often 2 whorls of 3)
Stamens- usually 6 (2 whorls of 3)
Ovary- Superior meaning it is located on top of the flower (3 joined carpels)
Fruit- capsule or berry
Lilaceae Family Examples
Allium sativum (garlic)
Convallaria majalis (lily of the valley)
Allium cepa (onion)
Ranunculaceae Family (Buttercup) Botanical Identification
Leaves- alternate, no stipules
Sepals- 5 petal-like
Petals- 5 may be reduce to nectarines (honey leaves)
Ovary- usually superior
Fruit- number of achenes, follicles, capsules
Ranunculaceae Family examples
Cimicifuga racemose (Black cohosh)
Ranunculus ficaria (Pilewort)
Hydrant is canadensis (Golden Seal)
Rosacea Family Botanical Identification
Leaves- alternate, often compound saw-toothed edges
Stipules- adhered to leaf stalk
Flowers- regular, bisexual
Sepals- 5
Petals-5 normally separate (free)
Chemistry- often contain cyanogen in compounds (eg Apricot kernels) can tell by almondy smell
Rosaceae Family Examples
Rosa damascena (Damask Rose)
Crataegus oxyacantha (Hawthorn)
Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet)
This plant type has no woody structure and usually dies back in the winter
Herb
Completes life cycle from germination to seed production in 1 year
Annual
Lives for many years
Perennial
Completes life cycle in two years
Biennial
Shrub
Perennial with permanent woody stems arising from ground level
Perennial with one permanent woody stem (trunk)
Tree
Retains leaves year round
Evergreen
Sheds leaves annually in Winter
Deciduous
High altitude and requiring good drainage, light and cool temperature
Alpine
Adapted to grow up vertical structures
Climbers
Adapted to watery conditions
Aquatics
Low light requirements and preference for hummus rich soils
Woodland
High light requirements and preference for well drained soils
Meadow
Moderate light requirements (semi-shad and preference for sheltered positions)
Hedgegrow
Preference for either full sun or shade and often low water requirements
Wall
High water requirements
Riverbank
Preference for very well drained and thin soils
Mountain
Tolerance of water submergence
Wetland
Tolerance of low rainfalls
Dry
Tolerance of saline conditions
Coastal
Draw the structure of leaf labeling each part
Petiole
Lamina
Lateral vein
Midrib
A leaf arrangement in a circular pattern at each node is called:
Whorl
An alternate leaf contains how many leaves per node
1
This leaf arrangement contains 2 leaves per node
Opposite
Describe a spiral leaf arrangement
Leaves arranged at 90 degree angles from leaf below forming a spiral along the stem
Name of simple leaf, elongated with rounded end ‘egg-like’
Obovate
A simple leaf with elongated pointed ends
Elliptic
What shape resembles simple cordate leaves
Heart
Long ‘lance-tip’ like simple leaves
Lanceolate
Long straight simple leaves are named
Linear most likely to be found in monocotyledonous plants
Name of kidney shaped simple leave
Reniform
The simple leaf spatulate is in the shape of a
Spoon
What are compound leaves
Appears to be cluster of separate leaves but are a single leaf comprising leaflets. Identified by a single axillary bud at the node (leaflets have no bud)
Compound leaf with leaflets arranged like a feather
Pinnate
Compound leaf with leaflets arranged in sets of three
Trifoliate (red clover)
Compound leaf with leaflets arranged like the palm of a hand, with five or seven leaflets
Palmate (castor oil plant)
Compound leaf with leaflets arranged like the palm of a hand, with five or seven leaflets
Palmate (castor oil plant)
Name the five ways to identify a plant by Habit (behavior of the plant)
Ascending Erect Sprawling Climbing Creemping
Leaf edge also called smooth
Entire
Leaf edge also called undulating
Wavy
Leaf edge with rounded teeth is called
Crenate
A deeply lobed leaf edge is called
Lobed
Leaf edge with small sharp even serrations
Saw edged
Leaf edge with deep sharp even serrations
Toothed
Leaf edge with jagged irregular serrations
Lacerate
Leaf attachment to plant stem on a thin stalk
Petiolate
Leaf attachment directly to the plant stem
Sessile
Leaf attachment base wrapped around full diameter of plant stem
Sheathed
Leaf base attached to part of plant stem
Clasping
Leaf veins with branching network
Reticulate
Leaf veins with feather-like arrangement
Pinnate
Name the 7 types of stems
Round Square Grooved Solid Hollow Colored Marked
Draw a flower and label the parts for identification
Regular or irregular Number of stems Number of carpals Ovary superior or inferior Bisexual or unisexual
Flowers attached directly to central shoot without stalks
Spike (lavendula officinalis)
Flowers attached to central shoot by stalks
Raceme
Branching flower stalks
Panicle
Flower stalks same length, originating from one point
Umbel
Apiaceae
Flower stalks different lengths so that flowers are level
Corymb
Terminal flower opens first, followed in succession by lateral flowers
Cyme
Many tiny flowers grouped together, appearing as a single flower
Composite
Feature of Asteraceae plants
List some special features used in plant identification
Hairy Sticky Thorns Color Aroma
Why should herbalists know the plant classification system?
Plant identification, Latin names very accurate
List TWO differences between Monocots and Dicots
Mono- long straight leaf
Divot- broader veins
Mono- first shoot one leaf
Dicot-two
Mono- adventitious root
Dicot- tap root
Why are the Angiosperms important?
Magnolia phyla 10th and most successful phylum evolutionary advantage have closed seeds so have to produce a flower. Distribution is advantageous
What is the advantage to the herbalist in knowing plant families in detail?
Plant families have features and key elements and actions in common and may be interchangeable in their medicinal properties
Name TWO plants from the Asteraceae family.
Dandelion, burdock, echinacea, marigold
Name a plant from the Rosaceae family.
Rose, hawthorn, apples, apricots, pears, plums, meadowsweet, lady’s mantle
Name THREE things to look for in flowers when using them identify the plant.
Number of petals Sepals Whether petals are fused If they have stamens Carpels in the ovary If the ovary itself is above or below flower (corolla)
What does a lanceolate leaf look like?
It looks like a lance, its long and thin
Last slide which family does each plant belong to?
- Asteraceae, daisy family
- Leaf margin toothed, nettles
- fabiaceae, legume fruit
Which is true of Dicotyledons:
Select one:
a. they have vascular bundles concentrically in the stem
b. They have xylem and phloem divided in the stem
c. They have vascular bundles scattered throughout the stem
d. They have no vascular bundles
A
Which of the following are all members of the Lamiaceae family:
Select one:
a. Red Clover, Astragalus, Siberian Ginseng
b. Garlic, Ginger, Cayenne
c. Lavender, Sage, Motherwort
d. Burdock, Artichoke, Wormwood
C
What kind of habitat does Gravel Root prefer: Select one: a. Coastal b. Wall c. Riverbank d. Mountain
C
Which is our of Monocotyledons:
Select one:
a. They have two seed leaves, reticulate veins and tap roots
b. They have two seed leaves, six petals and 3 carpels
c. They have one seed leaf, 4 or 5 petals and many carpels
d. They have one seed leaf, parallel veins and adventitious roots
D
The Angelica archangelica flower is a good example of: Select one: a. An Umbel b. A panicle c. A composite d. A corymb
A
A good example of a plant that has Lacerate leaves is: Select one: a. Peppermint b. Plantain c. Dandelion d. Rose
C
An Alternate leaf arrangement means: Select one: a. Leaves arranged 1 per node b. Leaves arranged opposite each other c. Leaves arranged in clusters d. Leaves arranged i circular patterns
A
The current system of plant Taxonomy was introduced by: Select one: a. Nicholas Culpeper b. Dr John Cristopher c. Carolus Linnaeus d. Samuel Thomson
C
Pinnate leaves are: Select one: a. Arranged like a palm b. Arranged in 3’s c. Arranged in spirals d. Arranged like a feather
D
Which of the following are all members of the Asteraceae family: Select one: a. Peppermint, Elder, Yarrow b. Calendula, Echinacea, Dandelion c. Burdock, Nettle, Plantain d. Milk Thistle, Lady’s Mantle, Rose
B
