PBIO 250 Lecture Notes

James L. Reveal

Norton-Brown Herbarium, University of Maryland

Selected Families of Angiosperms: Asteridae

Campanulales Rchb., 1828

Campanulaceae Juss., 1789: Herbs or shrubs with alternate, simple, astipulate leaves, showy, bisexual actinomorphic or zygomorphic, epigynous, 5-merous flowers with epipetalous stamens and a capsular fruit. CA5 [COz5 A5 or CA(5 or A5)] GS (2 or 3 or 5) or CA5 COz5 A5 or A(5 or A5) GS(2 or 3 or 5). 83 genera, 1950 species. Cosmopolitan. Many are cultivated (Campanula, Cyananthus, Lobelia). Traditionally diivided into three subfamilies: Campanuloideae Burnett, Cyphioideae (A. DC.) Walp. and Lobelioideae Burnett. Both Cyphiaceae DC. and Lobeliaceae R. Br. are often recognized as distinct families. Takhtajan (1987) has recently accepted Nemacladiaceae Nutt., previously included in Cyphiaceae, and adopted Cyphocarpaceae (Miers) Reveal & Hoogl. in 1997. If these are reduced to a broadly defined Campanulaceae, then Cyphocarpoideae Miers and Nemacladoideae ought to be adopted. Takhtajan also accepts Cyananthoideae, Ostrowskioideae Takh. and Canarinoideae. Full description from Watson & Dallwitz; family synonymy from Reveal; list of genera from Kew; family synopses from the University of Hawaii and Utah State.

Rubiales Dumort., 1829 - The placement of the Rubiales in the upper end of Asteridae is not supportable by modern data (fide Bremer et al.) and is now more often placed in the Gentiananae (Lamiidae).

Rubiaceae Juss., 1789: Herbs, shrubs or trees with opposite or whorled entire leaves and 4- or 5-merous flowers with as many stamens as corolla lobes and alternate with them on an inferior, bilocular ovary. CA(4-5 [CO4-5) A4-5] GI(2). 620 genera, 10,700 species. Cosmopolitan but mainly of tropical and warm regions. Some are medicinal and stimulants (ipecacuanha, quinine, coffee), timber, dyes (Rubia), and cultivated ornamentals (Asperula, Galium, Gardenia, Ixora, Nertera, Rothmannia, Wendlandia). Four subfamilies are commonly recognized: Cinchonoideae Raf., Antirheoideae Raf., Ixoroideae Raf. and Rubioideae, each with numerous tribes. Full description from Watson & Dallwitz; family synonymy from Reveal; list of genera from Kew; family synopses from the University of Hawaii and Utah State.

Dipsacales Dumort., 1829 - The Dipsacales are now routinely placed near Cornales and Apiales (Cornideae).

Caprifoliaceae Juss., 1789: Shrubs or sometimes lianas with opposite leaves, 4- or 5-merous, epigynous flowers and a multicarpellate inferior ovary. CA(4-5) [CO(4-5) A4-5] GI(2 or 5 or 8). As defined by Cronquist a family of 16 genera and 365 species mainly of warm and temperate regions of Eurasia, America, Australia and the tropical mountains of Africa. In a strict sense better defined to include 2 genera and about 190 species (Leycesteria and Lonicera). Diervilla and Weigela are now placed in the Diervillaceae (Raf.) Pyck while Abelia, Dipelta, Heptacodium, Kolkwitzia, Linnaeaa, Symphoricarpos and Zabelia belong to the Linnaeaceae (Raf.) Backlund. Cronquist also included the Carlemanniaceae Airy Shaw (Carlemannia, 3 species), Sambucaceae Batsch (Sambucus, 20 species) and Viburnaceae Raf. (Viburnum, 150 species) are all monogeneric. The latter two are more often presently reduced to synonymy under Adoxaceae Trautv. (3 genera, 5 species), a family of herbaceous perennials outwardly unlike the shrubs to small trees habit characteristic of Sambucaceae and Viburnaceae. Full description from Watson & Dallwitz; family synonymy from Reveal; list of genera from Kew; family synopses from the University of Hawaii and Utah State.

Asterales Lindl., 1833

Asteraceae Dumort., 1822: Herbs and shrubs with alternate or opposite leaves with inflorescences of involucrate heads of 1-many flowers on a common receptacle with a united, 5-lobed corolla, 5 stamens forming a cylinder around the style, and a bicarpellate, unilocular, inferior ovary producing an achene. CAv [CO(5) A5)] GI(2). 1535 genera, 23,000 species. Cosmopolitan. This is the largest family in terms of described genera and species. Many plants used for food, herbs, spices, flavorings, scent, medicines and cultivated ornamentals, but most (except the ornamentals) of minimal importance compared to those in Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae, etc. Many are noxious weeds. Divided into three subfamilies, Barnadesioideae Bremer & R.K. Jansen, Carduoideae Cass. ex Sweet (including Cichorioideae (Juss.) Chevall. and Lactucoideae (Cass.) Lindl.) and Asteroideae (Cass.) Lindl. The latter two are composed of numerous tribes and subtribes. The major tribes of the Carduoideae are the Mutisieae Cass., Cardueae Cass., Tarchonantheae Kostel., Vernonieae Cass., Liabeae, Arctotideae Cass. and Cichorieae Lam. & DC. (including Lactuceae Cass.). The major tribes of the Asteroideae are the Inuleae Cass., Gnaphalieae (Cass.) Lecoq & Juillet, Astereae Cass., Anthemideae Cass., Senecioneae Cass., Calenduleae Cass., Heliantheae Cass. and Eupatorieae Cass. Full description from Watson & Dallwitz; family synonymy from Reveal; list of genera from Kew; family synopses from the University of Hawaii and Utah State. See also Cardillo & Samuels.

Last revised: 27 Jan 1999

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Selected Families of Angiosperms: Alismatidae
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