List of alismatid families

Last updated

Amorphophallus titanum (corpse flower) - 2.jpg
Titan arum
Wolffia columbiana 18906075.jpg
Duckweed; each speck is an individual plant.

The alismatid monocots are a group of 15 interrelated families of flowering plants, named for their largest order, Alismatales. [lower-alpha 1] Like other monocots, they usually have a single embryonic leaf (cotyledon) in their seeds, leaves with parallel veins, scattered vascular systems, flowers with parts in threes or multiples of three, and roots that can develop in more than one place along the stems. [6] The alismatids have adapted to thrive in oceans, temperate zones, deserts, the tropics, and even glacial regions. [7]

Contents

Like the earliest monocots, many of the alismatid monocots are aquatic, and some grow completely submerged. Apart from the sweet-flag family of wetlands plants, all the alismatid families are in Alismatales. Some of the plants in this order are invasive aquatic weeds that can disrupt and destabilize ecosystems. Others grow in a variety of habitats, especially plants in the aroid family. This family includes the titan arum, with the world's largest unbranched inflorescence, and also the world's smallest flowering plant, duckweed. [2] [5] [8] [9]

Glossary

From the glossary of botanical terms:

The APG IV system is the fourth in a series of plant taxonomies from the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. [2] In this system, the alismatids are basal within the monocots. [8] [11]

Alismatid families

Alismatid families
Family and a common name [12] [lower-alpha 2] Type genus and etymology [lower-alpha 3] Total genera; global distributionDescription and uses Order [14] Type genus images
Acoraceae
(sweet-flag family) [15] 		Acorus comes from a Latin plant name. [16] [17] 1 genus, in North America, Europe and Asia [15] [18] Herbaceous aromatic plants with thin, sword-shaped leaves. The rhizomes are essentially non-vascular. [15] Acorales
Alismataceae
(water-plantain family) [19] 		Alisma comes from a Greek plant name. [20] [21] [22] 18 genera, worldwide [23] Herbaceous latex-bearing aquatic plants, usually perennials. They take root in freshwater beds, and some remain submerged. [19] [24] Two species are consumed in Asia, and another was a food source for Native Americans. [19] [24] C4 photosynthesis [lower-alpha 4] has been observed in Sagittaria . [8] Alismatales
Aponogetona­ceae
(waterblommetjie family) [25] 		Aponogeton is from the Latin for "near (the hot springs at) Aponus". [26] 1 genus, in Africa, Oceania, and South and Southeast Asia [25] [27] Herbaceous smooth-stemmed freshwater perennials, usually with long leaf-stalks. [28] Cape pondweed flowers are consumed as a delicacy in South Africa; the tubers are also edible. [25] Alismatales
Araceae
(aroid family) [29] 		Arum comes from a Greek plant name. [30] [31] [32] 142 genera, worldwide, especially in the tropics [33] [34] Generally sappy, herbaceous plants growing in soil, in water and on trees, along with a few woody climbers. Many cultures have relied on taro plants (which are toxic when raw) as a staple crop. [33] [35] Alismatales
Butomaceae
(flowering-rush family) [36] 		Butomus is from the Greek for "ox-wounding", named for the sharp leaves. [37] [38] 1 genus, in temperate Europe and Asia [36] [39] Smooth-stemmed herbaceous aquatic, swamp or marsh plants, usually with milky latex. [40] They are consumed in parts of Russia, in bread or as a vegetable. [36] Alismatales
Cymodocea­ceae
(turtle-grass family) [41] 		Cymodocea was named for Cymodoce, a Greek sea nymph. [42] [43] 6 genera, in tropical and warm temperate seas [41] [44] Large perennials, [41] up to 30 cm (12 in) long in the genus Cymodocea. [45] They nourish and shelter many crustaceans and fish that are harvested commercially. [41] Alismatales
Hydrocharita­ceae
(frogbit family) [46] 		Hydrocharis is from the Greek for "water grace". [47] [48] 14 genera, worldwide [46] [49] Annual and perennial aquatic plants. One species is consumed in Asia. Many invasive genera have become entrenched, causing considerable economic damage. [46] Alismatales
Juncaginaceae
(arrowgrass family) [50] 		Juncago (an earlier synonym for the type genus, Triglochin ) is from the Latin for "a rush-like plant". [50] [51] 3 genera, in northern temperate zones, South America, Oceania and parts of Africa [50] [52] Herbaceous plants with grass-like leaves that grow in soil or water. [50] [53] Two species are edible. [50] Alismatales
Maundiaceae
(Maund's-arrowgrass family) [54] 		Maundia was named for John Maund (1823–1858), a physician and chemist. [55] 1 genus, in eastern Australia [54] [56] Aquatic perennials with leaves up to 80 cm (31 in) long. The family is likely to become endangered as water tables recede in eastern Australia. [54] Alismatales
Posidoniaceae
(tapeweed family) [57] 		Posidonia was named for Poseidon, a Greek god. [58] 1 genus, in the Mediterranean and oceans south and west of Australia [57] [59] Submerged plants with long linear leaves. Genetically identical beds of Posidonia oceanica in the Mediterranean can be kilometers wide and persist for many thousands of years. [57] Alismatales
Potamogetona­ceae
(pondweed family) [60] 		Potamogeton comes from Greek and Latin plant names. [61] [62] 5 genera, worldwide [60] [63] Aquatic plants, usually perennials. [60] [64] The plants are an important food source for many birds and aquatic animals. [60] Alismatales
Ruppiaceae
(tasselweed family) [57] 		Ruppia was named for Heinrich Bernhard Ruppius (1688–1719). [65] 1 genus, scattered worldwide, in ponds, marshes and shallow seas [57] [66] Submerged herbaceous plants, usually annuals with stalkless leaves [57] [67] Alismatales
Scheuchzeria­ceae
(Rannoch-rush family) [68] 		Scheuchzeria was named for Johann Gaspar Scheuchzer (1684–1738) and his brother Johann Jacob. [69] 1 genus, in arctic sphagnum bogs [68] [70] Perennial aquatic plants. The linear leaves have parallel veins. [68] Alismatales
Tofieldiaceae
(false-asphodel family) [71] 		Tofieldia was named for Thomas Tofield (1730–1779). [72] [73] 4 genera, mostly in northern boreal and montane zones, with some species in the US, China and Japan [71] [74] Herbaceous rhizomatous perennials, usually with leaves attached at the plant's base [71] [75] Alismatales
Zosteraceae
(eelgrass family) [76] 		Zostera is from the Greek for "belt". [76] [77] 2 genera, in temperate and subtropical sea beds [76] [78] Perennials with simple leaves. [76] [79] The plants have been used as packing material. The dense growths support commercially important fish and shrimp. [76] Alismatales

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The taxonomy (classification) in this list follows Plants of the World (2017) [1] and the fourth Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system. [2] Total counts of genera for each family come from Plants of the World Online . [3] (See the POWO license.) Extinct taxa are not included. The monocots as a whole are the plants responsible for most of the global agricultural output, including those in the grass, palm, banana, ginger, asparagus, pineapple, sedge and onion families. [4] [5]
  2. ↑ Each family's formal name ends in the Latin suffix -aceae and is derived from the name of a genus that is or once was part of the family. [13]
  3. ↑ Some plants were named for naturalists (unless otherwise noted).
  4. ↑ See Photosynthesis#C3 : C4 photosynthesis research for the chemistry of C4 photosynthesis.

Citations

  1. ↑ Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Angiosperm Phylogeny Group 2016.
  3. ↑ POWO.
  4. ↑ Givnish et al. 2010, p. 585.
  5. 1 2 Royal Botanic Gardens.
  6. ↑ Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 115–116.
  7. ↑ Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 115–131.
  8. 1 2 3 Stevens 2023.
  9. ↑ Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 117–120.
  10. ↑ Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 638–670.
  11. ↑ Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 10, 117.
  12. ↑ Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 117–131.
  13. ↑ ICN, art. 18.
  14. ↑ Stevens 2023, Summary of APG IV.
  15. 1 2 3 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, p. 117.
  16. ↑ Coombes 2012, p. 30.
  17. ↑ Stearn 2002, p. 30.
  18. ↑ POWO, Acoraceae.
  19. 1 2 3 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, p. 122.
  20. ↑ Coombes 2012, p. 36.
  21. ↑ Stearn 2002, p. 38.
  22. ↑ IPNI, Alismataceae, Type.
  23. ↑ POWO, Alismataceae.
  24. 1 2 POWO, Alismataceae, Flora of Tropical East Africa.
  25. 1 2 3 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, p. 126.
  26. ↑ Stearn 2002, p. 48.
  27. ↑ POWO, Aponogetonaceae.
  28. ↑ POWO, Aponogetonaceae, Flora of Somalia.
  29. ↑ POWO, Araceae, Neotropikey.
  30. ↑ Coombes 2012, p. 52.
  31. ↑ Stearn 2002, p. 53.
  32. ↑ IPNI, Araceae, Type.
  33. 1 2 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 118–120.
  34. ↑ POWO, Araceae.
  35. ↑ POWO, Rapateaceae, Flora of West Tropical Africa.
  36. 1 2 3 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, p. 123.
  37. ↑ Coombes 2012, p. 72.
  38. ↑ Stearn 2002, p. 73.
  39. ↑ POWO, Butomaceae.
  40. ↑ POWO, Butomaceae, Flora of Tropical East Africa.
  41. 1 2 3 4 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, p. 131.
  42. ↑ Burkhardt 2018, p. C-77.
  43. ↑ IPNI, Cymodoceaceae, Type.
  44. ↑ POWO, Cymodoceaceae.
  45. ↑ POWO, Cymodoceaceae, Flora of Somalia.
  46. 1 2 3 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 123–125.
  47. ↑ Stearn 2002, p. 170.
  48. ↑ IPNI, Hydrocharitaceae, Type.
  49. ↑ POWO, Hydrocharitaceae.
  50. 1 2 3 4 5 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 126–127.
  51. ↑ USDA, Juncaginaceae, Type.
  52. ↑ POWO, Juncaginaceae.
  53. ↑ POWO, Juncaginaceae, Flora of Tropical East Africa.
  54. 1 2 3 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, p. 127.
  55. ↑ Burkhardt 2018, p. M-34.
  56. ↑ POWO, Maundiaceae.
  57. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, p. 130.
  58. ↑ Burkhardt 2018, p. P-60.
  59. ↑ POWO, Posidoniaceae.
  60. 1 2 3 4 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 128–129.
  61. ↑ Stearn 2002, p. 247.
  62. ↑ IPNI, Potamogetonaceae, Type.
  63. ↑ POWO, Potamogetonaceae.
  64. ↑ POWO, Potamogetonaceae, Flora of Tropical East Africa.
  65. ↑ Burkhardt 2018, p. R-55.
  66. ↑ POWO, Ruppiaceae.
  67. ↑ POWO, Ruppiaceae, Neotropikey.
  68. 1 2 3 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, p. 125.
  69. ↑ Burkhardt 2018, p. S-22.
  70. ↑ POWO, Scheuchzeriaceae.
  71. 1 2 3 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, p. 121.
  72. ↑ Burkhardt 2018, p. T-26.
  73. ↑ USDA, Tofieldiaceae, Type.
  74. ↑ POWO, Tofieldiaceae.
  75. ↑ POWO, Tofieldiaceae, Neotropikey.
  76. 1 2 3 4 5 Christenhusz, Fay & Chase 2017, pp. 127–128.
  77. ↑ IPNI, Zosteraceae, Type.
  78. ↑ POWO, Zosteraceae.
  79. ↑ POWO, Zosteraceae, Neotropikey.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alismatales</span> Order of herbaceous flowering plants of marshy and aquatic habitats

The Alismatales (alismatids) are an order of flowering plants including about 4,500 species. Plants assigned to this order are mostly tropical or aquatic. Some grow in fresh water, some in marine habitats. Perhaps the most important food crop in the order is the corm of the taro plant, Colocasia esculenta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potamogetonaceae</span> Family of aquatic plants

The Potamogetonaceae, commonly referred to as the pondweed family, is an aquatic family of monocotyledonous flowering plants. The roughly 110 known species are divided over six genera. The largest genus in the family by far is Potamogeton, which contains about 100 species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zosteraceae</span> Family of aquatic plants

Zosteraceae is a family of marine perennial flowering plants found in temperate and subtropical coastal waters, with the highest diversity located around Korea and Japan. Most seagrasses complete their entire life cycle under water, having filamentous pollen especially adapted to dispersion in an aquatic environment and ribbon-like leaves that lack stomata. Seagrasses are herbaceous and have prominent creeping rhizomes. A distinctive characteristic of the family is the presence of characteristic retinacules, which are present in all species except members of Zostera subgenus Zostera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juncaginaceae</span> Family of aquatic plants

Juncaginaceae is a family of flowering plants, recognized by most taxonomists for the past few decades. It is also known as the arrowgrass family. It includes 3 genera with a total of 34 known species.

<i>Ruppia</i> Genus of aquatic plants

Ruppia, also known as the widgeonweeds, ditch grasses or widgeon grass, is the only extant genus in the family Ruppiaceae, with eight known species. These are aquatic plants widespread over much of the world. The genus name honours Heinrich Bernhard Rupp, a German botanist (1688-1719). They are widespread outside of frigid zones and the tropics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Najadales</span> Order of flowering plants

Najadales is the botanical name of an order of flowering plants. A well-known system that used this name is the Cronquist system (1981), which used this name for an order in subclass Alismatidae with this circumscription:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cymodoceaceae</span> Family of aquatic plants

Cymodoceaceae is a family of flowering plants, sometimes known as the "manatee-grass family", which includes only marine species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tofieldiaceae</span> Family of flowering plants

Tofieldiaceae is a family of flowering plants in the monocot order Alismatales. The family is divided into four genera, which together comprise 28 known species. They are small, herbaceous plants, mostly of arctic and subarctic regions, but a few extend further south, and one genus is endemic to northern South America and Florida. Tofieldia pusilla is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alismatid monocots</span> Grade of flowering plant orders within Lilianae

Alismatid monocots is an informal name for a group of early branching monocots, consisting of two orders, the Acorales and Alismatales. The name has also been used to refer to the Alismatales alone. Monocots are frequently treated as three informal groupings based on their branching from ancestral monocots and shared characteristics: alismatid monocots, lilioid monocots and commelinid monocots. Research at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew is organised into two teams I: Alismatids and Lilioids and II: Commelinids. A similar approach is taken by Judd in his Plant systematics.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.