Lecture 9 Core Astrids: Lamiids and Tundra Ecosystem Flashcards
What are leaf/stem characteristics of the Plantaginaceae family?
- herbaceous
- leaves simple
- no stipules
- attachment is variable: alternate, opposite, basal or whorled
What are floral characteristics of Plantaginaceae family?
- flower perfects
- inflorescence variable
- 5-merous sympetalous flowers with two-parted corolla and obvious bilateral symmetry or almost radial symmetry and petal lobes of similar size (ex. linaria vulgaris)
- 4 stamens that attach to petal (some also have a 5th, non-functional stamen)
- ovary superior, syncarpous with 2 carpels and many ovules on axile placentae
What type of fruit does the Plantaginaceae family produce?
Capsule
What are some characteristics of the Plantago genus?
- small plants with basal leaves and spikes of small flowers
- main leaf veins are parallel
- flower 4-merous, sympetalous
- corolla dry and membranous
- 4 stamens with equal length, long filaments
- other traits are in common with other Plantaginaceae
What type of fruit does Plantago produce?
Circumscissile capsule (importnat for ID)
- has a dehiscence structure
What is the Lentibulariaceae family?
Bladderwort family
Diverse genera of aquatic insectivorous plants
What family is the Utricularia genus a part of?
Lentibulariaceae
What are some characteristics of Linaria vulgaris?
Didynamous stamens
3 petals fused into a lower and 2 petals fused into an upper lip (zygomorphic)
Ovary with 2 fused carpels with axile placentation
What is the difference between Utricularia and Plantaginaceae flowers?
Utricularia only has 2 stamens
Apart from this, flower morphology is the same
- flowers perfect
- 5-merous
- two parted corolla
- bilateral symmetry
- ovary superior
What are some distinctive characteristics of Utricularia?
Distinctive, very altered insectivorous leaves
- trigger hairs/absorptive hairs
What are uses of Lamiaceae (mint) family?
Diverse cosmopolitan family
Many culinary herbs
Essential oils
What are stem/leaf characteristics of Lamiaceae (mint) family?
- Herbaceous
- Square stems
- Opposite leaves
- Often aromatic
What are floral characteristics of Lamiaceae family?
- 5-merous sympetalous flowers
- flowers bilabiate or radial, in verticils (i.e. whorled arrangement in leaf axis) OR inflorescence spike-like
- 4 stamens attached to the petals by filaments
- 4-lobed ovary from 2 fused carpels, superior
What type of fruit does Lamiaceae produce?
Four 2-seeded nutlets
- it is a nutlet since seed coat stays fused
- also thicket than an achene
What family is the Fraxinus genus a part of?
Oleaceae (olive family)
What type of fruit does Fraxinus produce?
one-seeded samara
What are stem/leaf characteristics of Fraxinus genus?
- Dioecious trees
- Opposite, usually pinnately compound leaves
What are floral characteristics of Fraxinus genus?
- Perianth reduced to 4 tiny sepals or none
- 2 stamens per staminate flower
- 2 fused carpels with 2 ovules per carpel
What three families are we reviewing that are a part of the Solanales order?
Solanaceae
Convolvulaceae
Boraginaceae
Where is the Solanaceae (tomato) family found?
It’s habitat is quite widespread
Very diverse in American tropics, many adapted to disturbed habitats
What are leaf/stem characteristics of Solanaceae (tomato) family?
- Herbs, shrubs, and small trees or vines
- Alternate leaves
What are floral characteristics of Solanaceae?
- Flowers bisexual and radially symmetric
- 5 sepals, connate and persistent
- Superior ovary
- 5 petals, connate –> wheel, bell, or funnel shaped corolla often with distinct lines in the petals where they were folded in bud
Why is the Solanaceae family important?
Many important food plants (tomato, eggplant, potato)
Many poisonous species: alkaloids
What type of fruit does the Solanaceae family produce?
Berry or capsule fruits
