Integrative Biology 335:
Systematics of Plants
Families of the Caryophyllales:
Caryophyllaceae
Readings:
Judd et al. , 3rd. edition, Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach (pp. 320 – 323)
Other Resources:
Digital Flowers: Caryophyllaceae
Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)
Habit:
- Distribution
- Annual or perennial herbs with anthocyanin pigments. No betalains!
- Stems often with swollen nodes
Leaves:
- Opposite, simple, entire, leaf bases often connate and sheathing
Flowers:
- Perfect, actinomorphic
- Calyx united (connate) or distinct; sepals persistent (in fruit)
- Petals distinct and often clawed at base, expanded at apex (blade or limb), separated by an appendaged joint, and apically notched
Your text says true petals are lacking in the family; these petals are actually modified stamens
- Carpels often 3, syncarpous
- Ovary superior, often on a GYNOPHORE (also called an ANDROGYNOPHORE), a stalk supporting the gynoecium and androecium
- 1-locular, usually many ovules on free-central placentation
Lychnis:
Silene:
Viscaria:
Inflorescence:
Saponaria:
Fruits:
- Capsules with apical teeth [denticidal dehiscence] or achenes in one group
- Seeds with embryo coiled around perisperm
Silene:
Saponaria:
Agrostemma:
Silene:
Saponaria:
Agrostemma:
Caryophyllaceae Class Notes
Caryophyllaceae Illustration from Zomlefer, page 55
Fig. 9.46 from text
Examples:
Agrostemma (corn cockle)
Dianthus (pinks, carnation)
Gypsophila (baby's breath)
Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese cross)
Saponaria officinalis (bouncing bet)
Silene (campion, catchfly, Silene regia, royal catchfly)
Stellaria (chickweed)
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