Plant Taxonomy Flashcards
Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllis/onion family Angiosperm, monocot From bulbs or rhizomes Flowers: epigynous, umbels, 6 stamens, 1 pistil with 3 carpels E.g. onion, daffodils
Anthocerotophyta
Phylum
Hornworts
Non-vascular
Araceae
Arum family Angiosperm, monocot Flowers: hypogynous, borne on spadix, subtended by a bract called spathe Leaves: large sheathing petioles E.g. swiss cheese plant
Arecaceae
Palm family Angiosperm, monocot Apex of stem has a large meristem Flowers: sessile, actinomorphic, 3 sepals and petals, 3 carpels, 6 stamens in 2 whorls, Leaves: pinnate in terminal crown E.g. coconut
Asteraceae
Sunflower family (2nd largest angiosperm fam)
Angiosperm, dicot
Flowers: called pseudanthium, densely aggregated and surrounded by bracts, disk flowers with microscopic sepals, petals, stamens, pistils form the inflorescence
E.g. sunflower, dandelion, dahlia, chrysanthemum
Bromeliaceae
Bromeliad family
Angiosperm, monocot
Epiphytic herbs
Flowers: inflorescence terminal, coloured bracts, 3 distinct or basally fused calyx and corolla, 6 stamens, 1 compound pistil with 3 carpels, style with 3 stigmas
Leaves: alternate spiral, concave leaves for water collection
E.g. pineapple
Bryophyta
Phylum
Mosses
Non-vascular
Brassicaceae
Mustard family
Angiosperm, dicot
Flowers: hypogynous, actinomorphic, 4 sepals, 4 petals arranged in X or H, 1 compound pistil with 2 carpels, 2 short stamens and 4 long stamens
Leaves: alternate
E.g. cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower
Cucurbitaceae
Gourd family
Angiosperm, dicot
Herbaceous plants
Climbing or trailing vines
Flowers: unisex, actinomorphic, frequently 3-6 lobed sympetalous corolla, 1 compound pistil with 2-5 carpels, one style, inferior ovary
Leaves: alternate, usually palmately 5-lobed or divided
E.g. cucumber, pumpkin, watermelon
Crassulaceae
Orpine/stonecrop family
Angiosperm, dicot
CAM photosynthesis discovered here
Cactaceae
Cactus family Angiosperm, dicot CAM photosynthesis Flowers: solitary, perfect, actinomorphic, epigynous (inferior ovary), numerous tepals, infinite stamens, 1 compound pistil with many carpel Leaves: spines E.g. dragon fruit, queen of the night
Cyperaceae
Sedge family Angiosperm, monocot Triangular stems Flowers: small perfect arranged in spikelets, have bristles hairs or scales, 1 bract Leaves: alternate, 3-ranked E.g. papyrus
Cycadophyta
Phylum Cycads Vascular, gymnosperm Dioecious Pinnately palm-like compound
Euphorbiaceae
Spurge family (4th largest angiosperm fam)
Angiosperm, dicot
Have milky coloured latex that is poisonous
Flowers: imperfect, usually monoecious, staminate flowers often have a single stamen, pistillate flowers have a single pistil with 3 carpels
Leaves: usually alternate simple, sometimes spines
Fruit: many have elastic schizocarps
E.g. tapioca, rubber, castor bean
Fabaceae
Legume family (3rd largest angiosperm fam)
Angiosperm, dicot
Flowers: zygomorphic, 9 stamens fused and a single stamen, large upper petal above lateral ones
Leaves: alternate compound
E.g. pea, snapdragon, raintree
Fagaceae
Beech/oak family Angiosperm, dicot Evergreen and deciduous Alternate simple leaves Dioecious 4-calyxed flowers
Ginkgophyta
Phylum Ginkgo (ginkgo biloba—last extant species) Vascular, gymnosperm Deciduous, dioecious Fan-shaped leaves
Lamiaceae
Mint family Angiosperm, dicot Squarish stems Flowers: zygomorphic, fused calyx of 5 sepals, fused 2 lobed upper and 3 lobed lower petals, 2 or 4 stamens joined to corolla, 1 compound pistil of 2 carpels Leaves: simple opposite E.g. mint, peppermint, basil, thyme
Liliaceae
Lily family
Angiosperm, monocot
Perennial herbs from rhizones, bulbs or fleshy roots
Flowers: hypogynous, actinomorphic, perfect, 6 distinct tepals, 6 stamens, 1 compound pistil with 3 carpels
E.g. lily, tulip
Lycopodiophyta
Phylum
Club mosses
Vascular, spore-producing
Under Pteridophyta
Marchantiophyta
Phylum
Liverworts
Non-vascular
Magnoliaceae
Magnolia family
Flowers: perfect, actinomorphic, 6 tepals/3 sepals and 6 petals arranged in 2 whorls, many helically arranged stamens and simple pistils
Leaves: simple alternate
E.g. avocado, magnolia
Magnoliophyta
Phylum
Angiosperms
Malvaceae
Mallow family
Angiosperm, dicot
Flowers: 5 sepals and petals (attached to stamens), actinomorphic (?), monadelphous (united by filaments) stamens, superior ovary of > carpels with partition walls
Leaves: alternate simple, usually palmately lobed, palmately veined
E.g. cotton, durian, hibiscus
Moraceae
Mulberry family Angiosperm, dicot Trees or shrubs with milky sap Flowers: imperfect, no petals, may have 4-5 tepals, pistil of 2 carpels, often 4 stamens Leaves: simple alternate, stipulated E.g. mulberry, figs
Myrtaceae
Myrtle family
Angiosperm, dicot
Flowers: actinomorphic; 4-5 sepals and petals, many prominent stamens, at least half inferior ovary
Leaves: evergreen, mainly simple opposite
E.g. eucalyptus, guava
Orchidaceae
Orchid family (largest angiosperm fam)
Angiosperm, monocot
Terrestrial or epiphytic
Stem thickened at base forming pseudobulbs
Flowers: zygomorphic, epigynous, 3 petals (2 normal and 1 labellum) and 3 sepals
E.g. vanilla, orchid
Polypodiopsida
Phylum
Horsetails and ferns
Vascular, spore-producing
Under Pteridophyta
Pinophyta
Phylum Conifers Vascular, gymnosperm Monoecious Monopodial growth (single straight trunk with side branches; strong apical dominance) Wind-pollinated
Poaceae
Grass family (4th largest angiosperm fam)
Angiosperm, monocot
Flowers: small wind-pollinated spikelets, feathery stigma, consist of many overlapping bracts and florets
Leaves: alternate, consist of sheath, ligule and blade
E.g. maize, corn, rice, barley
Ranunculaceae
Buttercup family Angiosperm, dicot Mostly herbaceous Flower: perfect, actinomorphic, 5 sepals and petals, hypogynous (superior ovary), many helically arranged stamens and simple pistils on elongated receptacle Leaves: simple compound E.g. traveller’s joy, buttercup
Rosaceae
Rose family Angiosperm, dicot Flowers: perfect, actinomorphic, perigynous (half inferior ovary), 5 sepals and petals, numerous stamens in multiples of 5, 1 to many carpels that can be joined Leaves: alternate simple or compound E.g. rose, plums, cherries
Rubiaceae
Coffee family Angiosperm, dicot Flowers: perfect, sympetalous (petals united along their margins) corolla Leaves: simple opposite E.g. coffee, ixora
Solanaceae
Nightshade family Angiosperm, dicot Most r poisonous Flowers: hypogynous, perfect, calyx of 5 fused sepals, corolla of 5 fused petals, 1 compound pistil of 2 carpels, 5 stamens E.g. tobacco, capsicum, chilli
