Angiosperm Plant Families

[Important points]

Dicotyledons:
1. Polypetalae: Ranunculaceae, Nymphaeaceae, Nelumbonaceae, Magnoliaceae, Annonaceae,
Papaveraceae, Brassicaceae(Cruciferae), Caryophyllaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Malvaceae, Rutaceae,
Meliaceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Myrtaceae, Puniaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Cactaceae, Apiaceae
2. Gamopetalae: Rubiaceae, Asteraceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Convolvulaceae, Solanaceae,
Scrophulariaceae, Acanthaceae, Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae
3. Monochlamydae: Amaranthaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Polygonaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae
Monocots: Orchidaceae, Liliaceae, Iridaceae, Musaceae, Zingiberaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae

1. Ranunculaceae (Buttercup or Crowfoot family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Thalamiflorae> Ranales

Salient features: Mostly herbs, corolla spurred in Delphinium (thus zygomorphic); stamens numerous;
carpels numerous, free (apocarpous) and spirally arranged, ovary superior (more than one type of
placentation: axile, marginal, basal etc.); hairy persistent style is found in Clematis and Naravelia, fruit an
eterio of follicle or achene. Clematis is climber.
Important genera: Ranunculus (Buttercup), Clematis, Caltha (Marsh marigold), Delphinium, Aconitum
(Aconite), Naravelia, Anemone and Thalictrum.
Economic importance: Seeds of Nigella sativa (Kala jeera), Many ornamentals.
Note: Paeonia differs from rest of the plants in presence of numerous centrifugal stamens, presence of disc
around the carpels and arillate seeds.

2. Nymphaeaceae:
Most of the things are more or less similar to Ranunculaceae. Superficial placentation in Nymphaea.
Important genera: Nymphaea nouchali =N. lotus (Indian water-lily), N. alba (European white water-lily)
Victoria amazonica =V. regia (Royal water-lily).

3. Nelumbonaceae:
Most of the things are more or less similar to Nymphaeceae. Carpels buried here in a round pit on the flat
top of a swollen and spongy obconical receptacle. Fruit aggregate of achenes. This family formerly treated
as subfamily of family Nymphaeceae along with Cabomboideae and Nelumboideae.
Important genera: Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred lotus: National flower of India).

4. Magnoliaceae:
Most of the things are more or less similar to previous ones (like, floral parts arranged spirally), but here
trees or shrubs, placentation marginal, seed often suspended by thread like funiculus. Fruit an eterio
(aggregation) of follicles (as in Magnolia grandiflora) or indehiscent samaras as in Liriodendron, or united into
fleshy syncarp as in Aromadendron. Plants of this family usually grown as ornamentals and also used a
timber.
Important genera: Magnolia, Michelia.
5. Annonaceae (Annona or Pawpaw family):

Salient features: Trees or shrubs, leaves alternate distichous, stipules absent, flowers
fragrant, flowers trimerous with numerous spirally arranged stamens, many carpels
free, fruit an aggregate of berries, seed with ruminate endosperm.
Important genera: Annona and Polyalthia. Edible fruits: Annona squamosa (shareefa or sweet sop).

6. Papaveraceae (Poppy family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Thalamiflorae> Parietales

Salient features: Herb, sap (latex) usually milky or coloured, calyx caduceus, petals crumpled in
bud, stamens numerous in several whorls, gynoecium with usually 2 united carpels, ovary
superior, unilocular with parietal placentation, fruit a capsule.
Important genera: Argemone mexicana, Papaver somniferum, Corydalis, Fumaria.
Note: Stamens 4 opposite to the petals in Corydalis. In Fumaria of the 6 stamens, 2 are with
bithecous anthers, 4 with monothecous anthers. Papaver somniferum yields opium (obtained from
the latex of capsules) and its derivatives heroin, morphine and codeine.

7. Brassicaceae = Cruciferae (Mustard family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Thalamiflorae> Parietales

Salient features: Mainly herbs, plants contain pungent watery juice; myrosin glands present,
stipules absent, flowers tetramerous, corolla cruciform (×-shaped), petals clawed or unguiculate;
stamens 6, tetradynamous (inner 4 long and opposite to petals, outer 2 short and opposite to
sepals), gynoecium bicarpellary and syncarpous, ovary superior, unilocular with parietal
placentation. A false septum (replum) divides the locule into two making it bilocular. Stigma two
lobed. Sepal, Petal, Stamens and Carpel ratio- 2:2:3:1. Fruit a siliqua (longer than broad, as in
Brassica) or silicula (broader than long, as in Capsella and Coronopus didymus).
Important genera: Brassica rapa (Turnip), B. oleracea var. caulorapa (Ghant gobhi), B. oleracea var.
capitata (Band gobhi), B. oleracea var. botrytis (Phool gobhi), B. campestris var. sarson (Pili sarson),
Raphanus sativus (Radish), Iberis (Candytuft), Alyssum (Basket of gold).
8. Capparaceae or Capparidaceae (Including Cleomaceae) [Capparideae by Bentham & Hooker]:
The Capparaceae are differentiated from the Brassiaceae by their woody habit, elongate
gynophore or androgynophore (also called as gynandrophore), a higher number of stamens, a
unilocular ovary with parietal placentation, and an indehiscent fruit type missing a replum.
Note: Cleomaceae resemble the Capparaceae but are largely herbaceous and have a dehiscent fruit
with
a replum (but lacking a complete partition, thus the ovary unilocular).
Important genera: Cleome, Gynandropsis.

9. Caryophyllaceae (Pink family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Thalamiflorae> Caryophyllineae

Salient features: Mainly herbs with swollen nodes and opposite simple leaves, petals caryophyllaceous
(five free clawed petals with limb at right angles to the claw), stamens usually twice the petals and
obdiplostemonous (stamens in two whorls but outer whorl opposite the petals), ovary unilocular with free
central placentation (ovary single chambered, ovules borne along the central column), fruit capsule.
Important genera: Silene, Dianthus, Arenaria, Stellaria.
Mainly ornamentals and weeds.

9. Malvaceae (Mallow family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Thalamiflorae> Malvales

Salient features: Herbs and shrubs with stellate hairs, often mucilaginous, leaves palmately veined, stipules
free and prominent, flowers usually with epicalyx (involucre of bracteoles), calyx shows valvate aestivation
in bud whereas corolla shows twisted or imbricate aestivation. Stamens numerous with united filaments
(monadelphous) [in Bombax pentadelphous], Anthers monothecous and reniform, pollen grain covered
with spines, carpels five or more, ovary superior, placentation axile. Fruit usually capsule.
Important genera: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Gurhal), Gossypium (Cotton), Malva (Mallow), Abutilon
(Flowering maple), Sida, Malvastrum, Abelmoschus esculentus (Lady’s finger or Bhindi),
Mainly ornamentals and fibers.

10. Dipterocarpaceae (Meranti family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Thalamiflorae> Guttiferales

Salient features: Trees with buttressed bases, leaves often with domatia, sepals becoming winged in fruit,
petals 5, anthers with sterile tips formed by extension of connective, carpels 3, fruit a winged nut.
Important genera: Shorea robusta, Hopea, Dipterocarpus etc.
Note: Timber yielding plants. Great demand in plywood.
11. Rutaceae (Citrus family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Disciflorae > Geraniales

Salient features: Trees and shrubs, leaves usually compound and gland dotted, stamens free (as in
Murraya), or polyadelphous (as in Citrus), sometimes obdiplostemonous (stamens in two whorls but outer
whorl opposite the petals), ovary superior, usually multilocular, seated on a nectary disc, with usualy axile
placentation, fruit a berry.
Important genera: Aegle marmelos (Bel), Citrus limon (Lemon), C. sinensis (Mausami), C. reticulata
(Orange), Murraya paniculata (grown as ornamental), M. koenigii (Curry leaves), Zanthoxylum, Ruta.
Note: Mainly fruit yielding plants.

12. Meliaceae (Mahogany family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Disciflorae > Geraniales

Salient features: Trees and shrubs, plants containing bitter taste compounds, leaves pinnately compound
(unipinnate in Azadirachta, whereas bipinnate in Melia), stamens with connate filaments (monadelphous)
as in Azadirachta and Melia, ovary with axile placentation. Fruit a drupe in Melia azedarach.
Important genera: Azadirachta indica (Neem), Melia azedarach (Bakain), Swietenia mahogani (Mahogany),
Toona ciliata (Toon).
Note: We get mainly timber and medicine.

13. Fabaceae (Pea family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Calyciflorae > Rosales

Note: This large family has traditionally been divided into three subfamilies Papilionoideae,
Caesalpinioideae and Mimosoideae.

Salient features of the family: Leaves usually compound with pulvinate base, odd sepal anterior, carpel 1,
ovary superior with marginal placentation and fruit commonly a pod or lomentum.

Salient features of the sub-family Papilionoideae: Flowers zygomorphic with papilionaceous corolla,
aestivation vexillary, sepals united, stamens 10, usually diadelphous [1+(9)], carpel 1, fruit a pod.
Important plants: Beutea monosperma (Palash), Cicer arietinum (Gram), Pisum sativum (Pea), Cajanus cajan
(Pigeon pea), Glycine max (Soybean), Arachis hypogaea (Peanut), Abrus precatorius (Ratti), Trifolium
alexandrianum (Barseem), Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham).

Note: Mainly fruit and fodder yielding plants.

B. Salient features of the sub-family Caesalpinioideae: Flowers zygomorphic, corolla not papilionaceous,
posterior petal innermost, sepals free, stamens 10, diplostemonous, usually free, in two whorls, carpel 1,
fruit a pod.

Important plants: Bauhinia, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Delonix regia (Gul-mohar), Cassia fistula (Amaltas),
Senna, Tamarindua (Imli).
Note: Mainly fruit and fodder yielding plants.

C. Salient features of the sub-family Mimosoideae: Flowers actinomorphic, corolla not papilionaceous,
petals valvate, sepals united, stamens 4- many, free or connate, filaments often long exserted and showy,
carpel 1, fruit a pod or lomentum.

Important plants: Mimosa pudica (touch-me-not, Chhuimui), Acacia, Albizia, Pithecellobium dulce (Jangal
jalebi).
Note: Mainly fruit and fodder yielding plants.
14. Rosaceae (Rose family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Calyciflorae > Rosales

Salient features: Herbs shrubs or trees, leaf margin usually serrate, stipules large, flowers actinomorphic,
usually perigynous and with hypanthium, petals usually clawed, well-developed nectary on hypanthium
or base of stamens, stamens numerous.
Important genera: Malus domestica (Apple), Prunus dulcis (Almond), Rosa (Rose), Rubus (Raspberry),
Fragaria vesca (Strawberry), Prunus armeniaca (Apricots), Prunus persica (Peach).
Note: Mainly fruit yielding plants and ornamentals.

15. Myrtaceae (Myrtle family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Calyciflorae > Myrtales

Salient features: Shrubs or trees, bark flaky, leaves gland-dotted, entire, stamens numerous, ovary inferior.
Important genera: Eucalyptus (Safeda), Syzygium cuminii (Jamun), Psidium guajava (Guava), Melaleuca
and Callistemon (Bottlebrush).
Note: Mainly fruit yielding plants, timber and ornamentals.

16. Lythraceae (Puniaceae) = (Loosestrife family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Calyciflorae > Myrtales

Salient features: Leaves opposite, simple, entire, hypanthium present, petals crumpled, in two whorls.

Important genera: Lythrum (loosestrife), Lawsonia inermis (Mehandi), Woodfordia fruticosa, Punica
granatum (Anaar), Trapa bispinosa (Shinghada), Ammannia baccifera.

17. Cucurbitaceae (Gourd family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Calyciflorae > Passiflorales

Salient features: Mostly herbs, tendril climbing plants, stem pentangular, leaves palmately veined, flowers
unisexual (usually monoecius), stamens 5, variously united (synandrous), sometimes free as in Fevillea,
carpels usually 3, syncarpous, ovary inferior with parietal placentation, style 1, stigma 3, fruit a berry or
pepo.
Important genera: Lagenaria vulgaris (Lauki), Cucurbita maxima (Pumpkin, Kaddu), Cucumis sativus
(Cucumber, Kheera), C. melo (Kharbooza), Citrulus vulgaris (Water melon), Luffa acutangula (Kali tori), L.
cylindrica (Ghia tori), Benincasa hispida (Petha), Momordica charantia (Karela), Coccinia grandis
(Kundaroon), Trichosanthes dioica (Parwal).

Note: Mainly fruit yielding plants.

18.Cactaceae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Calyciflorae > Ficoidales

Salient features: Herbs and shrubs, succulents, usually spiny, flowers solitary, petals many, stamens
numerous, ovary inferior, fruit a berry.
Important genera: Opuntia.

Note: Mainly ornamentals.

19. Apiaceae = Umbelliferae (Carrot family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Polypetalae> Calyciflorae > Umbellales
Salient features: Aromatic herbs with hollow internodes, leaves compound with sheathing base,
inflorescence umbel, petals incurved in bud, ovary inferior, fruit a cremocarp with stylopodium (stylo=
style, podium=stage) at apex.
Important genera: Coriandrum sativum (Coriander, Dhaniya), Daucus carota (Carrot, Gazar), Centella
asiatica (Brahmi), Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel, Saunf), Trachyspermum ammi (Carum, Azwain), Cuminum
cminum (Cumin, Zira), Anethum graveolens (Sowa).

Note: The family is the source of food plants, spices and condiments.

20. Rubiaceae (Madder family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Inferae > Rubiales

Salient features: Mostly trees and shrubs. Leaves opposite or whorled, simple, enitre margined, stipules
interpetiolar (a stipule lying between the petioles of two adjacent leaves; useful for identification within
family), colleters (glands) present in leaf axils, flowers pentamerous (sometimes tetramerous), epigynous,
stamens 5, epipetalous, gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary inferior, bilocular, axile placentation.
Important genera: Gardenia, Ixora, Hamelia, Neolamarckia (Kadamb tree), Mussaenda, Coffea arabica and
C. canephora (Coffee), Cinchona (Quinine obtained a remedy for Malaria), Mitragyna parviflora (True
Kadamb).

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals, timbers. Beverages, medicines, dyes also common.

21. Asteraceae = Compositae (Sunflower family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Inferae > Asterales

Salient features: Mostly herbs, leaves usually alternate, many of them contain milky sap, inflorescence a
capitulum with ray florets (zygomorphic) and disc florets actinomorphic [one type or both in capitulum],
florets sessile, surrounded by involucre of bracts (phyllaries), calyx represented by pappus, anthers united
filmets free (syngenesious condition), gynoecium bicarpellary, ovary inferior, unilocular with basal
placentation, style with two branches, fruit a cypsela.

Note: Head: Flat-topped axis bearing crowded sessile flowers as in Acacia and Mimosa. Capitulum: Flat-
topped inflorescence like head (and often known as head) but with distinct ray florets and disc florets (one
or both types), surrounded by involucre bracts (phyllaries), as found in the family Asteraceae
(Compositae). The numbers of florets can be 1 to thousands. Homogamous: having one type of florets in
capitulum; Heterogamous: having both disc and ray florets. Cypsela: single seeded dry fruit, similar to
(and often named achene) but developing from bicarpellary syncarpous inferior ovary.

Important genera: Eclipta prostrata (Bhringraj), Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion), Chrysanthemum,

Helianthus annuus (Sunflower), Tagetus (Genda), Parthenium (Gazar ghaas), Calendula officinalis (Pot
marigold), Dahlia pinnata (Dahlia), Ageratum, Cosmos, Zinnia, Aster, Blumea, Acmella, Artemisia, Lactuca
sativa (), Launaea, Vernonia, Wedelia, Xanthium strumarium.

Note: The family is the main source of ornamentals and oils. Edibles, medicinal plants are also common.

22. Apocynaceae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Bicapellatae > Gentianales

Salient features: Herbs, shrubs or climbers, latex milky, leaves opposite or whorled, flower hypogynous,
bracteate and bracteolate, actinomorphic, gamosepalous and gamopetalous, stamens usually 5, filaments
free, anthers sagittate (pollinia absent). Gynoecium bicarpellary, ovary superior, carpels usually free or
connate only at the base, stigma large. Fruit a follicle (develop from monocarpellary, superior, unilocular
ovary, dehisce by one suture only). Seed often with a tuft of long silky hairs.
Important genera: Catharanthus roseus= Vinca rosea (Sadabahar), Thevetia peruviana (Peeli Kaner),
Nerium oleander= Nerium indicum (Kaner), Tabernaemontana divaricata (Chandni), Rouvolfia serpentina
(Sarpgandha), Alstonia scholaris (Satparni), Carissa carandas (Karaunda), Plumeria rubra and P. alba,
Holarrhena pubescens (Indrajava).

Note: The family is well known for its ornamentals and medicinal plants. Corona of usually 5 scales or
appendages arising from corolla throat (corolline corona) present in some members.

23. Asclepiadaceae (now recognized as subfamily Asclepiadoideae of family Apocynaceae):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Bicapellatae > Gentianales

Salient features: Herbs, shrubs or climbers, latex milky, leaves opposite or whorled, flower hypogynous,
bracteate and bracteolate, actinomorphic, gamosepalous and gamopetalous. Anthers adnate to the
stigmatic area forming a 5 angled disc gynostegium. Pollen agglutinated within the anther sacs to form
waxy pollinia (pollinia present). Staminal corona also present. Gynoecium bicarpellary, ovary superior,
carpels usually free or connate only at the base, stigma large. Fruit a follicle (develop from monocarpellary,
superior, unilocular ovary, dehisce by one suture only). Seed often with a tuft of long silky hairs.

Important genera: Calotropis procera (Madaar), Calotropis gigantea.

Note: The family is well known for its ornamentals and medicinal plants.
Corona of usually 5 scales or appendages arising from stamens (staminal corona) present in members.

24. Solanaceae (Potato family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Bicapellatae > Polemoniales

Salient features: Mostly herbs, leaves alternate, stipules absent, inflorescence axillary or extra axillary
(appears to arise from little above to axil as in Solanum), flowers actinomorphic, hypogynous, calyx
persistent (acrescent in Physalis), gamosepalous, corolla gamopetalous, stamens 5, epipetalous, gynoecium
bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, bilocular (sometimes tetralocular due to false septum), axile
placentation, placenta swollen, septum oblique, ovules numerous, fruit a berry or capsule.

Important genera: Solanum tuberosum (Potato), Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato), Solanum melongena
(Brinjal), Solanum nigrum (Makoi), Solanum torvum, Capsicum annuum (Chilly), Capsicum frutescens
(Shimla mirch), Datura stramonium (Datura), Withania somnifera (Aswagandha), Nicotiana tabacum
(Tobacco; Fermented leaves are source of tobocco), Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Petunia violacea and
Petunia hybrida, Cestrum nocturnum (Raat ki Rani), Cestrum diurnum (Din ka Raja).

Note: The family is chief source of food, medicines and ornamentals.

25. Convolvulaceae (Morning glory family):

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Bicapellatae > Polemoniales

Salient features: Mostly herbs and shrubs, often climbing (twining), leaves alternate, venation palmate,
stipules absent, flowers hypogynous, actinomorphic, corolla gamopetalous, funnel-shaped, calyx
gamosepalous, deeply five-lobed, stamens 5, epipetalous, gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary
superior, bilocular (sometimes tetralocular due to false septum), ovules usually 2 in each locule,
placentation axile, fruit a capsule.
Important genera: Convolvulus arvensis, Evolvulus nummularius, Ipomoea batatas (Shakarkand), Ipomoea
aquatica (Nari ka sag), Ipomoea purpurea (Common morning glory), Operculina turpethum, Ipomoea
carnea (Behaya), Merremia hederacea, Ipomoea hederifolia.

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals.

26. Scrophulariaceae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Bicapellatae > Personales

Salient features: Mostly herbs, stem cylindrical, leaves alternate or opposite, stipules absent, flowers
zygomorphic, bracteate and bracteolate, hypogynous, gamosepalous and gamopetalous, stamens
epipetalous, usually 4 (5th as staminode or absent). Gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior,
bilocular, ovules many, placentation axile, style persistent, fruit a capsule.

Important genera: Antirrhinum majus (Snapdragon), Bacopa monnieri, Digitalis purpurea (Fox-glove),
Mazus pumila, Mecardonia procumbens, Russelia equisetiformis, Scoparia dulcis, Verbascum thaspus,
Veronica anagallis-aquatica.
Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals and medicinal plants.

27. Acanthaceae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Bicapellatae > Personales

Salient features: Herb and shrubs, stem nodes swollen, leaves opposite and decussate, cytoliths commonly
present in epidermal cells (taxonomically important), usually stipules absent, flowers zygomorphic, with
prominent bracts and bracteoles, gamosepalous and gamopetalous, corolla usually two-lipped, stamens
epipetalous, usually 4 (didynamous) sometime 2 [1 to 3 missing stamens as staminodes], anther lobes equal
or unequal in size. Gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, bilocular, ovules usually 2 in each
locule, sometime more, placentation axile, style long and narrow, style 2, fruit a loculicidal capsule, seeds
with jaculators.

Important genera: Andrographis paniculata, Barleria, Dicliptera, Elytraria acaulis, Hygrophila, Justicia,
Lepidagathis, Ruellia, Thunbergia.
Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals and medicinal plants.

28. Lamiaceae= Labiatae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Bicapellatae > Lamiales

Salient features: Mainly herbs and shrubs, plants aromatic, stem often quadrangular, leaves opposite,
exstipulate, inflorescence commonly verticillaster, flowers zygomorphic, hypogynous, bracteate and
bracteolate, gamosepalous and gamopetalous, calyx persistent, corolla usually two-lipped, stamens usually
4 (5th as staminode or absent), didynamous, epipetalous. Gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary
superior, deeply 4-lobed, bilocular (turning to 4 chambered due to false septum), ovules 2 in each locule,
placentation axile, style usually gynobasic, stigma bifid. Fruit schizocarpic breaking into 4 nutlets.

Important genera: Ocimum tenuiflorum = O. sanctum (Tulsi), Mentha, Salvia, Hyptis suaveolens, Leucas,
Coleus blumei, Lavendula (Lavendar), Rosmarinus (Rosemary).

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals and medicinal plants.

29. Verbenaceae:
Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Gamopetalae> Bicapellatae > Lamiales
Salient features: Mainly shrubs or trees, plants aromatic, leaves opposite, exstipulate, stem often angular,
flowers zygomorphic, inflorescence racemes, spikes or heads, flower gamosepalous and gamopetalous,
calyx persistent, stamens usually 4, epipetalous. Gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous, usually bilocular
(sometimes 4-8), ovules 1-2 per locule, style terminal (simple) with bifid stigma. Fruit drupe or indehiscent
capsule.

Important genera: Tectona grandis (Teak), Clerodendron, Duranta erecta, Lantana, Phyla nodiflora, Petrea
volubilis, Premna, Verbena, Vitex.

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals and medicinal plants.

30. Amaranthaceae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Monochlamydeae> Curvembryeae

Salient features: Mainly herbs and small shrubs, leaves usually alternate, exstipulate, flowers
actinomorphic, small, often greenish, bracteate and bracteolate, perianth (tepals) papery and persistent,
stamens 5, opposite perianth lobes, slightly connate at base. Gynoecium bi or tricarpellary, ovary superior,
unilocular, fruit a capsule or utricle or nutlet, enclosed in persistent perianth, embryo curved.

Important genera: Achyranthes aspera (Chirchita), Alternanthera, Amaranthus, Celosia argentea, Deeringia
amaranthoides, Digera muricata, Gomphrena globosa.

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals, edibles and medicines.

31. Chenopodiaceae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Monochlamydeae> Curvembryeae

Salient features: Mainly herbs or small shrubs, leaves usually alternate, exstipulate, flowers small often
greenish, bracteate, stamens 5, opposite perianth lobes, all fertile and similar. Gynoecium bicarpellary,
ovary superior, fruit a nut enclosed in persistent perianth, embryo curved.

Important genera: Bassia, Beta vulgaris, Chenopodium, Spinacia oleracea.

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals and food plants.

32. Polygonaceae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Monochlamydeae> Curvembryeae

Salient features: Mostly herbs, stipules forming ochrea at nodes (ochreate stipules), Inflorescence spikes,
heads or panicles, perianth usually petaloid (tepal), stamens 3-8. Gynoecium tricarpellary, syncarpous,
ovule solitary, fruit a nut.

Important genera: Antigonon leptopus (floral bud is modified into tendril), Fagopyrum, Muehlenbeckia
platyclada, Polygonum, Rumex.

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals.

33. Euphorbiaceae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Monochlamydeae> Unisexuales

Salient features: Herbs, shrubs and trees, sometime cactus like, usually with milky latex. Leaves simple and
alternate, sometimes modified into spines. Inflorescence usually cyathium (Euphorbia) having a cup-
shaped involucre (formed by fused bracts) with usually 5 nectaries along the rim and enclosing numerous
male flowers (without perianth and represented by a single stamen) and single female flower in the centre;
sometimes a raceme (Croton) or panicle (Ricinus).
Flowers unisexual, actinomorphic, hypogynous, stamens variable 1 (in Euphorbia), 3 (in Phyllanthus) and
more. Gynoecium tricarpellary, ovary superior, trilocular, 1-2 ovules in each ovule, placentattion axile,
style 3. Fruit a schizocarpic capsule, rarely a berry or drupe. Seed often with conspicuous fleshy outgrowth
called caruncle.

Important genera: Acalypha, Chrozophora rottleri, Codiaeum variegatum, Croton bonplandianus,

Drypetes roxburghii, Euphorbia hirta, E. milli, E. pulcherrima (Poinsettia), E. thymifolia, E. tirucalli,
Excoecaria cochinchinensis, Jatropha curcas, Mallotus, Phyllanthus embllica, Ricinus communis (Castor
bean) and many.

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals. In Ricinus stamens with repeatedly branched filaments,
anthers monothecous due to splitting of filament.

34. Moraceae:

Placement (B&H): Dicotyledons> Monochlamydeae> Unisexuales

Salient features: Trees and shrubs with milky latex, some members epiphytic in early stage (strangling
species of Ficus), leaves alternate, stipulate. Inflorescence of various types, erect or pendulous (catkin) spike
(in Morus), hypanthodium (A cup-shaped cavity with an apical opening or ostole is formed by fleshy
receptacle, which is guarded by inwardly projecting hairs and bear flowers on the inner wall of the cavity.
Female flowers at the base and male flowers above. As in Ficus), or raceme, flowers unisexual, small,
actinomorphic, hypogynous, tepaloid which is usually persistent and becomes fleshy in fruit. Stamens 4-6,
gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, unilocular, ovule 1, placentation apical.
Fruit usually a multiple fruit sorosis (Morus), syconium (syconus; Ficus), sometimes etaerio of drupes or a
berry.

Important genera: Artocarpous heterophyllus (Kathal), A. lacucha (Badhal), Ficus benghalensis var.
benghalensis (Bargad), Ficus benghalensis var. krishnae (Makhan katori), F. elastica (Rubber plant), F.
pumila, F. religiosa (Peepal), Morus alba, M. nigra (Shehtoot), Streblus asper.

Note: The family is chief source of fruits and ornamentals.

1. Orchidaceae (Orchid family):

Placement (B&H): Monocotyledons> Microspermae

Salient features: Terrestrial or epiphytic herbs. Roots tuberous (in terrestrial) or with velamen (lack root
hairs and have a multilayered epidermis; in epiphytes). Stems rhizomatous or cormose (in terrestrial) or
forming pseudobulbs (in epiphytes). Leaves usually alternate, distichous, sheating, exstipulate.
Inflorescence various (raceme, panicle, spike, or solitary). Flowers bisexual, trimerous, zygomorphic,
epigynous, often resupinate (twisted 180° during development). Perianth homochlamydous (although, it
can be differentiated into sepal and petal), corolla with 2 lateral petals and labellum (inner median, anterior
petal ---- when resupinate; actually posterior early in development).
Stamen usually one, fused with the style and stigma to form the gynostemium (also called the column or
gynostegium; position opposite to labellum). Pollen grains agglutinated into pollinia. Pollinia plus a sticky
stalk (derived from either the anther or stigma), the unit of transport during pollination is called
‘pollinarium’.

Gynoecium tricarpellary, syncarpous, ovary inferior, usually unilocular, placentation parietal. Stigmas
usually 3, one often transformed into a sterile rostellum, which often having a sticky pad called viscidium
attached to the pollinia. Fruit capsule or berry.

Important genera: Calanthe, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epipactis, Goodyera, Habenaria, Malaxis, Vanda,
Vanilla planifolia (flavouring agent ‘Vanilla’ obtained from the fruits), Zeuxine strateumatica.

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals.

2. Liliaceae:

Placement (B&H): Monocotyledons> Coronariae

Salient features: Mostly herbs with alternate or whorled leaves, base sheathing. Inflorescence usually
raceme, sometime umbellate or solitary. Flowers usually bisexual, actinimorphic, hypogynous, trimerous,
perianth with 6 petaloid tepals, stamens 6 (in 2 whorls), filaments free. Gynoecium tricarpellary,
syncarpous, ovary superior, trilocular, placentation axile, ovule numerous, style 1, stigma 3. Fruit a capsule
or berry.

Important genera: Allium cepa (Onion), A. sativum (Garlic), Aloe vera, Asparagus, Dracaena, Gloriosa
superba, Lilium (Lily), Yucca.

Note: The family is chief source of ornamentals and edibles.

3. Iridaceae:

Placement (B&H): Monocotyledons> Epigynae

Salient features: Mostly herbs, leaves alternate, distichous, usually sessile, sheathing at base. Inflorescence
various (cyme, raceme, spike or panicle). Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, trimerous, epigynous. Perianth
6, stamens 3, filaments free or connate. Gynoecium tricarpellary, syncarpous, ovary inferior, trilocular,
placentation axile, ovules few to numerous, style 3-lobed. Fruit a loculicidal capsule.

Important genera: Crocus sativus yield saffron, widely used as a colouring agent and flavouring agent for
food stuffs.

4. Musaceae (Banana family):

Placement (B&H): Monocotyledons> Epigynae

Salient features: Tree like herbs, with pseudostems formed from overlapping leaf sheaths. Leaves large,
spirally arranged, margin often torn, sheathing at base. Inflorescence a panicle-like cyme with one or more
spathes. Flowers unisexual (plant monoecious), perianth 6. Stamens 5 (+1 staminode). Gynoecium
tricarpellary, syncarpous, ovary inferior, trilocular, ovules many, placentation axile. Fruit berry.

Important genera: Musa paradisiaca (Banana).

5. Zingiberaceae (Ginger family):

Placement (B&H): Monocotyledons> Epigynae
Salient features: Aromatic herbs, leaves alternate, distichous, sessile or petiolate, sheathing at base, ligule
present at the junction of sheath and petiole, Inflorescence various, flowers bisexual, often subtended by a
sheathing bract, usually zygomorphic, epigynous, trimerous. Perianth 6, Stamens usually 1 fertile and 4
sterile (petaloid staminodes; the two in the inner whorl connate, forming an anterior labellum, the two in
the outer whorl distinct above the floral tube or fused to labellum (the third member of the outer whorl
absent). Gynoecium tricarpellary, syncarpous, ovary inferior, trilocular, ovules usually many, placentation
axile. Fruit a dry or fleshy capsule.

Important genera: Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Zingiber officinale (Ginger, Adrak), Amomum subulatum
(Bengal cardamon or moti elaichi), Elettaria cardamomum (Malabar cardamon, ‘chhoti elaichi’),
Hedychium spicatum (Perfume powder ‘abir’)

6. Cyperaceae (Sedge family):

Placement (B&H): Monocotyledons> Glumaceae

Salient features: Grass like herbs, stems of perennials are rhizomes, stolons or bulbs bearing aerial stem
(culms) that are often tufted (cespitose), aerial stem solid and triquetrous (3-sided). Leaves basal, tristichous
(three-ranked), sheathing, sheath usually closed, ligulate rarely.
Inflorescence unisexual (monecious) or bisexual spikelet [each spikelet consisting of a central axis (rachilla),
bearing spiral or distichous bracts (glumes), each (sometimes except lower ones) subtending a single
flower. Flowers small, hypogynous, perianth often absent, if present represented by 6 scales or hairs in 2
trimerous whorls. Stamens usually 3 (rarely 6 in two whorls). Gynoecium bi or tricarpellary, syncarpous,
ovary superior, unilocular, placentation basal, style often branched as many as carpel. Fruit a trigonous or
biconvex achene.

Important genera: Cyperus rotundus (Motha), C. alternifolius, C. flabelliformis, Kyllinga, Carex.

7. Poaceae (Grass family):

Placement (B&H): Monocotyledons> Glumaceae

Salient features: Herbs, underground stems of perennials are rhizomes or stolons, the erect stems (culms)
are hollow and cylindrical. Leaves basal or cauline, distichous (two-ranked), rarely spiral, sheathing at
base, sheath usually open, ligulate (common in Poaceae), pseudopetiole is present in Bamboos (between the
sheath and blade).
Inflorescence is spike or panicle of spikelets [each spikelet consisting of a central axis (rachilla), bearing two
basal bracts (glumes), lower one called the ‘first glume’, the upper the ‘second glume,’ (sometimes
modified or absent; sometime sterile or empty glumes also present) and one or more florets. Each floret
consists of two additional bracts (lemma and palea).

The lemma is the lower and larger bract, typically with an odd number of veins; the palea is the upper,
smaller bract, which has 2 veins and is partially enveloped or enclosed by the lemma. A bristle like awn
may be present at the apex of glumes or lemmas. Flowers small, bisexual or unisexual, zygomorphic,
hypogynous, perianth either absent or present as 2-3 lodicules. Stamens usually 2 or 3, anthers versatile.
Gynoecium bi or tricarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, unilocular, placentation basal, ovule 1, stigma 2
or 3, feathery. Fruit a caryopsis (grain).

Important genera: Triticum aestivum (Wheat), Oryza sativa (Rice), Zea mays (Maize), Hordeum vulgare
(Barley, Jau), Avena sativa (Oats, Jai), Secale cereale (Rye), Sorghum vulgare (Jowar), Saccharum
officinarum (Sugarcane), Bambusa (Bamboo), Cymbopogan citratus (Lemon grass), Cynodon dactylon
(Doob), Pennisetum typhoides (Bajra).

1. Anacardiaceae: In Mango, neuter, male and female flowers occur together.