Exercise 7.1 - Angiosperms

• The word angiosperm is from Greek words ἀγγεῖον (angeîon, “receptacle”) + σπέρμα (spérma, “seed”) which literally translates to seeds that are encased as compared to gymnosperms where seeds are naked.
• Based on characteristics, angiosperms may be further subdivided into Basal Angiosperms, Magnoliids, Monocots, and Eudicots
• BASAL ANGIOSPERMS can be divided into four Orders:

  • ORDER AMBORELLALES
  • ORDER NYMPHAEALES
  • ORDER AUSTROBAILEYALES
  • ORDER CHLORANTHALES
• ORDER AMBORELLALES - This Order comprises one family and one species with most molecular studies suggesting it to be the most basal angiosperm group. Its species are characterized by the absence of vessels, and absence of aromatic oil cells.
• Amborellaceae under ORDER AMBORELLALES

  • The name of the family is Latin derived which translates to “around a little mouth” with 1 genus and 1 species: Amborella trichopoda. It is Native to New Caledonia with no known economic uses.
• ORDER NYMPHAEALES -This Order consists of two families, namely: Nymphaeaceae and Cabombaceae, which are sometimes treated together.
• What are the families under ORDER NYMPHAEALES?

  1. Nymphaeaceae
  2. Cabombaceae
• Species are distributed worldwide with economic uses such as edible rhizomes and seeds; ornamental cultivars, especially Nuphar (cow-lily), Nymphaea (water-lily), and Victoria (giant water-lily).
• Nymphaeaceae - This is also named as the Water-Lily family (Nymphe, a water nymph) with 6 genera composed of species of aquatic, annual or perennial herbs, with a milky latex often present underground stems are rhizomatous or tuberous with atactostele or eustele vasculature and bearing a berry fruit.
• Cabombaceae - This is also called as the Fanwort family (Cabomba, Spanish for a South American aquatic plant) with 2 genera (Brasenia and Cabomba) composed of aquatic herbs with underground stems that are rhizomatous and give rise to elongate leafy shoots.
• ORDER AUSTROBAILEYALES - This plant group consists of four families, namely: Austrobaileyaceae, Illiciaceae, Schisandraceae, Trimeniaceae but with only Illiciaceae as representative for this exercise.
• What are the four families under ORDER AUSTROBAILEYALES?

  * Austrobaileyaceae

  * Illiciaceae

  * Schisandraceae

  * Trimeniaceae
• Illiciaceae - This is the Star -Anise family with 1 genus. Species have distributions in S.E. Asia and S.E. U.S. to the Caribbean. Economic uses of this family include Illicium anisatum, Japanese anise, used to kill fish and used medicinally and in religious rites, and Illicium verum, star anise, used as a spice, e.g., in liqueurs.
• ORDER CHLORANTHALES

  Chloranthaceae - The species in this family are soft-wooded aromatic shrubs and trees with swollen nodes. Species may be found worldwide except in African continent. Species of the genus Chloranthus are used in traditional medicine while Sarcandra glabra is an ornamental cultivar.
• Chloranthaceae - This is the sole family under Order Chloranthales with 4 genera (Ascarina, Chloranthus, Hedyosmum, and Sarcandra).
• MAGNOLIIDS can be divided into four Orders, namely: Laurales, Magnoliales, Canellales, and Piperales.
• ORDER LAURALES - This order contains seven families, namely: Atherospermataceae, Calycanthaceae, Gomortegaceae, Hernandiaceae, Lauraceae, Monimiaceae, Siparunaceae.
• What are the families under Order Laurales?

  Atherospermataceae

  Calycanthaceae

  Gomortegaceae

  Hernandiaceae

  Lauraceae

  Monimiaceae

  Siparunaceae
• Lauraceae - This is the Laurel family (L. laurus, laurel or bay) with 45 genera which consist of mostly trees or shrubs (except Cassytha, a parasitic vine) with aromatic oil glands. Its species are distributed in tropical to warm temperate regions, esp. S.E. Asia and tropical America. Among the economically important species are as follows: spice from C. zeylanicum (cinnamon), oils from C. camphora (camphor); spice from leaves of Laurus nobilis, laurel or bay), and fruits such as Persea americana (avocado).
• ORDER MAGNOLIALES - This order contains six families, namely: Annonaceae, Degeneriaceae, Eupomatiaceae, Himantandraceae, Magnoliaceae, Myristicaceae
• What are the families under ORDER MAGNOLIALES?

  Annonaceae, Degeneriaceae, Eupomatiaceae, Himantandraceae, Magnoliaceae, Myristicaceae
• Annonaceae - This is the Custard-Apple family (Anona, a Haitian name) with 112 genera composed of trees, shrubs, or woody vines that are tropically distributed. Annona spp. (e.g., Annona cherimola, cherimoya/custard-apple, or A. squamosa, sugar apple) are grown for their edible fruits while some species are cultivated ornamentals, e.g., Polyalthia.
• Magnoliaceae - This is the Magnolia family (after Pierre Magnol of Monpelier, 1638 1715) with 7 genera that is composed of trees and shrubs with solitary flowers. Economically important species such as Magnolia officinalis have been used in Chinese traditional medicine while Michelia alba is cultivated as an ornamental.
• ORDER PIPERALES - This order contains five families: Aristolochiaceae, Hydnoraceae, Piperaceae, Saururaceae
• What are the families under ORDER PIPERALES?

  Aristolochiaceae, Hydnoraceae, Piperaceae, and Saururaceae
• Aristolochiaceae - This family is also known as the Birthwort family (Gr. aristos, best + lochia, childbirth, from resemblance of a species of Aristolochia to the correct fetal position) with 7 genera of climbing plants. Economically important species include cultivated ornamentals such as Aristolochia (Dutchman s-pipe, pelican flower, birthwort), and Asarum (wild ginger).
• Piperaceae - This is the Pepper family (piper, Indian name for pepper) with 14 genera and has distributions in tropical regions. Economically important species include Piper nigrum, source of black and white pepper, and cultivated ornamentals, e.g., Peperomia.
• Saururaceae - This is also known as Lizard’s Tail family (Gr. saur, lizard + our, tail, about the tail-shaped inflorescence of Saururus cernuus) with 4 genera of perennial herbs. Cultivated ornamentals include Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum) and Lizard's tail (S. cernuus)
• ORDER CERATOPHYLLALES - This order is composed of one family and genus, Ceratophyllaceae.
• Ceratophyllaceae - This is the Hornwort family (Gr. cerato, horn + phyllum, leaf, from the forked leaves resembling horns). It should be noted that this family is different from the bryophyte, Anthocerophyta. Species are widely distributed with Ceratophyllum demersum used as an aquarium plant and as a protective cover in fisheries.