CH 24: Flowering Plants
 and Civilization
 

In this chapter you will learn about problems involved in distinguishing between fact and fancy in reported past uses of plants. It continues with a brief discussion of the origin of cultivated plants and a survey of sixteen well-known flowering plant families. Miscellaneous information given for the families, which are presented in phylogenetic sequence, includes brief comments on family characteristics and some past, present, or possible future uses.

At the end of this chapter the successful student will be able to

• Recognize the origins of cultivated plants
• Recognize family names and characteristics of selected species of flowering plants
  • Ranunculaceae Family
    •  

    ---

  • Lauraceae Family
    • 

    ---

  • Papaveraceae Family
    •  

    ---

  • Brassicaceae Family
    • 
  • Rosaceae Family:
    • 
  • Fabaceae Family:
    •  
  • Euphorbiaceae Family:
    • 
  • Cactaceae Family:
    •  
  • Lamiaceae Family:
    •  
  • Solanaceae Family
    • 
  • Apiaceae Family
    • 
  • Cucurbitaceae Family
    • 
  • Asteraceae Family
    • 
  • Poaceae Family
    • 
  • Liliaceae Family
    • 
  • Orchidaceae Family
    • 
  • Assignments
  • Glossary

Return to Schedule

Recognize the origins of cultivated plants

• Cultivated Plants appear to have originated in six major regions:
  • Chinese Region
  • African Continent
  • South Asia and Pacific Islands
  • North America
  • South and Central America

Return to top

Recognize family names of selected species of flowering plants

• Ranunculaceae Family

  • Buttercups
    • Nearly all 1,500 member species are herbaceous.
    • Most members are at least slightly poisonous.

• Lauraceae Family

  • Several important spices:
    • Cinnamon
    • Cassia
  • Camphor
  • Sassafras Trees
  • Sweet Bay

• Papaveraceae Family

  • Most member species are herbs distributed throughout the temperate and subtropical regions north of the equator.
    • Opium Poppies
      • Morphine and Codeine
        • Heroin
      • Papaverine and and Noscapine

• Brassicaceae Family

  • Four flower petals are arranged in a cross.
  • Nearly all 2,500 species are herbs distributed primarily throughout the temperate and cooler regions of North America.
    • Many cultivated edible plants.
      • Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Radish, Turnip, Horseradish, Watercress, and Rutabaga.

Return to top      Return to Brassicaceae

• Rosaceae Family

  • Rose Family
    • Includes more than 3,000 species.
      • Family is subdivided into subfamilies on the basis of flower structure and fruits.
    • Enormous economic impact.
      • Garden Ornamentals
      • Fragrances
      • Hips
        • Vitamin

Return to top     Return Rosaceae

• Fabaceae Family

  • Legume Family
    • Third largest of flowering plant families.
      • 13,000 members.
      • Many important crop plants.
        • Peas
        • Beans
        • Peanuts
        • Alfalfa
        • Carob

Return to top     Return Fabaceae

• Euphorbiaceae Family

  • Spurge Family
    • Widespread in temperature regions both north and south of the equator.
      • Several economically important plants.
        • Cassava
        • Para Rubber Tree

Return to top      Return to Euphorbiaceae

• Cactaceae Family

  • The Cactus Family
    • Potentially more than 1,500 species.
      • Most occur in dry, subtropical regions.
      • Usually showy flowers.
      • Most have edible fruit.

Return to top     Return Cactaceae

• Lamiaceae Family

  • Mint Family
    • Easy to distinguish because of a unique combination of angular stems that are square in cross section, opposite leaves, and bilaterally symmetrical flowers.
      • Mint oils have been used medicinally and as an antiseptic in different parts of the world.
        • Menthol

Return to top      Return Lamiaceae

• Solanaceae Family

  • Nightshade Family
    • Belladonna drug complex.
      • Atropine
      • Scopalamine
    • Capsicum
    • Jimson Weed
    • Tobacco
    • Tomatoes

Return to top     Return to Solanaceae

• Apiaceae Family

  • Carrot Famil
    • Approximately 2,000 members.
      • Dill
      • Celery
      • Carrot
      • Parsley
      • Caraway
      • Coriander

Return to top      Return Apiaceae

• Cucurbitaceae Family

  • Pumpkin Family
    • Includes many important edible plants.
      • Many have been cultivated for so long they are unknown in a wild state.
        • Pumpkins
        • Squash
        • Cucumbers
        • Cantaloupes

Return to top       Return Cucurbitaceae

• Asteraceae Family

  • Sunflower Family
    • Second largest flowering plant family.
      • Individual flowers - florets.

Return to top      Return Asteraceae

• Poaceae Family

  • Grass Family
    • Highly specialized flowers.
    • Contains nearly all cereals.
    • Sugar Cane
    • Citronella
    • Fibers

Return to top      Return Poaceae

• Liliaceae Family

  • Lily Family
    • Approximately 4,550 members.
      • Occur in almost any area supporting vegetation.
        • Asparagus
        • Sarsaparilla
        • Meadow Saffron (colchicine)
        • Aloe
        • Onions and Garlic

Return to top      Return Liliaceae

• Orchidaceae Family

  • Orchid Family
    • Very large family with > 35,000 species.
      • Widely distributed with diverse habitats.
      • Flowers are exceptionally varied in size and form

Return to top     Return Orchidaceae

Last modified: October 08, 2004 by Cynthia Herbrandson  © Copyright 1999, Kellogg Community College. All rights reserved.