Canadian Medical Guide > Organisms > Plants > Plant Families and Groups > Angiosperms Terms and Definitions
Angiosperms
Medical Definition: | Any member of the more than 250,000 species of flowering plants. Angiosperms are often differentiated from GYMNOSPERMS by their production of seeds within a closed chamber (OVARY, PLANT). The Angiosperms division is composed of two classes, the monocotyledons (Liliopsida) and dicotyledons (Magnoliopsida). |
Guide Notes: | GEN or unspecified; prefer specific families or specific plants |
Acanthaceae - A plant family of the order Scrophulariales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. It is characterized by simple leaves in opposite pairs, cystoliths (enlarged cells containing crystals of calcium carbonate), and bilaterally symmetrical and bisexual flowers that are usually crowded together. The common name for Ruellia of wild petunia is easily confused with PETUNIA. | |
Aceraceae - A plant family of the order Sapindales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. Leaves are opposite and usually toothed or lobed. The fruit, a samara (a winged nutlet), splits into two (rarely three) winged, one-seeded parts. This family is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. | |
Acoraceae - A plant family of the order Arales, subclass Arecidae, class Liliopsida (monocot). | |
Adoxaceae - A plant family of the order Dipsacales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. Members of this family are sometimes classified in CAPRIFOLIACEAE. | |
Agavaceae - A plant family of the order Liliales, subclass Liliidae, class Liliopsida. Members of the family have narrow, lance-shaped, sometimes fleshy or toothed leaves that are clustered at the base of each plant. Most species have large flower clusters containing many flowers. The fruit is a capsule or berry. | |
Aizoaceae - A plant family of the order Caryophyllales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Alangiaceae - A plant family of the order Cornales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida, consisting of slow-growing evergreen trees common in tropical forests of south India and Burma. Members contain tetrahydroisoquinoline-monoterpene and iridoid glycosides. | |
Alismatidae - A plant subclass of the class Liliopsida (monocotyledons) in the Chronquist classification system. This is equivalent to the Alismatales order in the APG classification system. It is a primitive group of more or less aquatic plants. | |
Aloe - A plant genus of the family Aloeaceae, order Liliales (or Asphodelaceae, Asparagales in APG system) which is used medicinally. It contains anthraquinone glycosides such as aloin-emodin or aloe-emodin (EMODIN). | |
Amaranthaceae - A family of flowering plants in the order Caryophyllales, with about 60 genera and more than 800 species of plants, with a few shrubs, trees, and vines. The leaves usually have nonindented edges. | |
Anacardiaceae - The sumac plant family in the order Sapindales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are tropical and subtropical trees, shrubs, and woody vines that have resin ducts in the bark. The sap of many of the species is irritating to the skin. | |
Annonaceae - The custard-apple plant family of the order Magnoliales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. Some members provide large pulpy fruits and commercial timber. Leaves and wood are often fragrant. Leaves are simple, with smooth margins, and alternately arranged in two rows along the stems. | |
Apiaceae - A large plant family in the order Apiales, also known as Umbelliferae. Most are aromatic herbs with alternate, feather-divided leaves that are sheathed at the base. The flowers often form a conspicuous flat-topped umbel. Each small individual flower is usually bisexual, with five sepals, five petals, and an enlarged disk at the base of the style. The fruits are ridged and are composed of two parts that split open at maturity. | |
Apocynaceae - The dogbane plant family of the order Gentianales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. Members of the family have milky, often poisonous juice, smooth-margined leaves, and flowers in clusters. | |
Aquifoliaceae - The holly plant family of the order Celastrales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Araceae - A plant family of the order Arales, subclass Arecidae, class Liliopsida (monocot). Many members contain OXALIC ACID and calcium oxalate (OXALATES). | |
Araliaceae - The ginseng plant family of the order Apiales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. Leaves are generally alternate, large, and compound. Flowers are five-parted and arranged in compound flat-topped umbels. The fruit is a berry or (rarely) a drupe (a one-seeded fruit). It is well known for plant preparations used as adaptogens (immune support and anti-fatigue). | |
Arecaceae - The palm family of order Arecales, subclass Arecidae, class Liliopsida. | |
Aristolochiaceae - A plant family of the order Aristolochiales subclass Magnoliidae class Magnoliopsida. They are mostly tropical woody vines and a few temperate-zone species. The flowers are 3-parted; some species lack petals while others are large and foul smelling. | |
Asclepiadaceae - The milkweed plant family of the order Gentianales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. It includes many tropical herbs and shrubby climbers; most with milky juice. Flowers have five united petals. Fruits are podlike, usually with tufted seeds. | |
Asteraceae - A large plant family of the order Asterales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. The family is also known as Compositae. Flower petals are joined near the base and stamens alternate with the corolla lobes. The common name of "daisy" refers to several genera of this family including ASTER; CHRYSANTHEMUM; RUDBECKIA; TANACETUM. | |
Balanophoraceae - A plant family of the order Santalales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are root parasites lacking CHLOROPHYLL. | |
Balsaminaceae - A plant family of the order Geraniales (or Ericales in APG system), subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Begoniaceae - A plant family of the order Violales (by some in Begoniales), subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. Members are found throughout tropical and warm temperate habitats. Most are perennial herbs with monoecious flowers (both sexes on the same plant). Fruits are usually capsules containing many tiny seeds. | |
Berberidaceae - The Barberry plant family of the order Ranunculales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. The shrubs have spiny leaves. | |
Betulaceae - A plant family of the order Fagales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. They have simple, serrate, alternate leaves. Male flowers are borne in long, pendulous catkins; the female in shorter, pendulous or erect catkins. The fruit is usually a small nut or a short-winged samara. | |
Bignoniaceae - A plant family of the order Scrophulariales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. The family is characterized by oppositely paired, usually compound leaves and bell- or funnel-shaped, bisexual flowers having a five-lobed calyx and corolla. | |
Bixaceae - A plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. Bixa contains bixin. Cochlospermum contains arjunolic acid and gum kondagogu (POLYSACCHARIDES). | |
Bombacaceae - A plant family of the order Malvales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida of tropical trees. | |
Boraginaceae - The Borage plant family is in the class Magnoliopsida, subclass Asteridae, order Lamiales. It is characterized by hairy foliage, usually alternate and simple; flowers are funnel-shaped or tubular. Some of the species contain PYRROLIZIDINE ALKALOIDS. | |
Brassicaceae - A plant family of the order Capparales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are mostly herbaceous plants with peppery-flavoured leaves, due to gluconapin (GLUCOSINOLATES) and its hydrolysis product butenylisotrhiocyanate. The family includes many plants of economic importance that have been extensively altered and domesticated by humans. Flowers have 4 petals. Podlike fruits contain a number of seeds. Cress is a general term used for many in the Brassicacea family. Rockcress is usually ARABIS; Bittercress is usually CARDAMINE; Yellowcress is usually RORIPPA; Pennycress is usually THLASPI; Watercress refers to NASTURTIUM; or RORIPPA or TROPAEOLUM; Gardencress refers to LEPIDIUM; Indiancress refers to TROPAEOLUM. | |
Bromeliaceae - A plant family of the order Bromeliales, subclass Zingiberidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons). | |
Burseraceae - A plant family of the order Sapindales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are resinous trees and shrubs with alternate leaves composed of many leaflets. | |
Buxaceae - A plant family of the order Euphorbiales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. Leaves are alternate, simple, and leathery. Fruits are one- or two-seeded capsules or drupes (stony-pitted fleshy fruits). | |
Cactaceae - The cactus plant family of the order Caryophyllales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida. Cacti are succulent perennial plants well adapted to dry regions. | |
Calycanthaceae - A plant family of the order Laurales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Campanulaceae - A plant family of the order Campanulales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida | |
Cannabaceae - A plant family of the order Urticales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. It is most notable for the members, Cannabis and Hops. | |
Capparaceae - A plant family of the order Capparales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida that are mostly herbs and shrubs growing in warm arid regions. Several produce GLUCOSINOLATES. | |
Caprifoliaceae - A plant family of the order Dipsacales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Caricaceae - A plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Caryophyllaceae - A plant family of the order Caryophyllales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida. The species are diverse in appearance and habitat; most have swollen leaf and stem joints. | |
Cecropiaceae - A plant family of the order Urticales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Celastraceae - A plant family of the order Celastrales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Chenopodiaceae - The goosefoot plant family of the order Caryophyllales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida. It includes beets and chard (BETA VULGARIS), as well as SPINACH, and salt tolerant plants. | |
Cistaceae - A plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. The common name of rock rose is used with several plants of this family. | |
Clethraceae - A plant family of the order Ericales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Combretaceae - A plant family of the order Myrtales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are mostly trees and shrubs growing in warm areas. | |
Commelinaceae - A plant family of the order Commelinales, subclass Commelinidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons) that are often somewhat succulent. The leaves are alternate, simple, parallel-veined, and usually with a closed sheathing base. The flowers are often in cymes and have 3 petals and 3 sepals. | |
Convolvulaceae - The morning glory family of flowering plants, of the order Solanales, which includes about 50 genera and at least 1,400 species. Leaves are alternate and flowers are funnel-shaped. Most are twining and erect herbs, with a few woody vines, trees, and shrubs. | |
Cornaceae - A plant family of the order Cornales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida that is a loose grouping of woody ornamentals: 11 of its 14 genera have been placed in single families by some authorities. Some botanists combine members of NYASSACEAE into this family. | |
Corsiaceae - A plant family of the order Liliales (or by some as Dioscoreales or Burmanniales), subclass Liliidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons). They are perennial saprophytic plants obtaining their carbon from FUNGI. | |
Cucurbitaceae - The gourd plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. It is sometimes placed in its own order, Cucurbitales. | |
Cuscuta - A plant genus of the family Cuscutaceae. It is a threadlike climbing parasitic plant that is used in DRUGS, CHINESE HERBAL. | |
Cyperaceae - The sedge plant family of the order Cyperales, subclass Commelinidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons) | |
Dilleniaceae - A plant family of the order Dilleniales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Dioncophyllaceae - A plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae class Magnoliopsida. Members contain naphthylisoquinolines which inhibit PLASMODIUM. | |
Dioscoreaceae - The yam plant family, of the order Liliales, has thick roots or tubers and net-veined, heart-shaped leaves that sometimes are lobed. | |
Droseraceae - A plant family of the order Nepenthales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida, notable for leaves with sticky gland-tipped hairs that entrap insects. | |
Ebenaceae - A small plant family of the order Ebenales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. Members contain NAPHTHOQUINONES. | |
Elaeagnaceae - A plant family of the order order Rhamnales, subclass Rosidae class Magnoliopsida. The plants have a characteristic silvery or rusty-colored sheen, caused by tiny distinctive scales. Flowers have a tubular structure of four sepals. Root nodules host the Frankia (ACTINOMYCETES) nitrogen-fixing symbionts. | |
Elaeocarpaceae - A plant family of the order Malvales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Ericaceae - The heath plant family of the order Ericales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida that are generally shrubs or small trees. Leaves are alternate, simple, and leathery; flowers are symmetrical with a 4- or 5-parted corolla of partly fused petals. | |
Eriocaulaceae - A plant family of the order Commelinales, subclass Commelinidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons). | |
Erythroxylaceae - A plant family of the order Linales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida best known for the coca plant. | |
Eucommiaceae - A plant family of the order Eucommiales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida (some botanists have classified this in the order Hamamelidales or Urticales). Eucomia is an elmlike tree of central and eastern China. Leaves are alternate; deciduous flowers are solitary and unisexual and lack petals and sepals. The male flowers have 6 to 10 stamens and female flowers have one ovary of two carpels, one of which aborts during development so the fruit (a dry, winged structure) contains only one seed. The latex is a source of RUBBER. Tochu tea is an aqueous extract of Eucommia ulmoides leaves and a popular beverage in Japan. (Mutat Res 1997 Jan 15;388(1):7-20). | |
Euphorbiaceae - The spurge family of flowering plants, in the order Euphorbiales, contains some 7,500 species in 275 genera. The family consists of annual and perennial herbs and woody shrubs or trees. | |
Fabaceae - The large family of plants characterized by pods. Some are edible and some cause LATHYRISM or FAVISM and other forms of poisoning. Other species yield useful materials like gums from ACACIA and various lectins like PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ from PHASEOLUS. Many of them harbor NITROGEN FIXATION bacteria on their roots. | |
Fagaceae - A plant family of the order Fagales subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Flacourtiaceae - The Indian plum plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae class Magnoliopsida, that are tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs. | |
Fumariaceae - The fumitory, or bleeding-heart plant family of the order Papaverales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. Flowers are bisexual, with two small sepals and four petals, one pistil and six stamens. | |
Gentianaceae - A plant family of the order Gentianales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Geraniaceae - A plant family of the order Geraniales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Hamamelidaceae - A plant family of the order Hamamelidales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Hippocastanaceae - A plant family of the order Sapindales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Hippocrateaceae - A plant family of the order Celastrales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. The Hippocratea genus contains friedelanes, triterpenoid quinone, and hippocrateine I. | |
Hydrophyllaceae - The waterleaf plant family of the order Solanales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. They have alternate leaves, regular flowers with five-lobed corollas (united petals), and a one- or two-celled ovary. | |
Illicium - A plant genus of the family Illiciaceae, order Illiciales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. They have evergreen, aromatic leaves and bisexual flowers. The female portion of the flower consists of 7 to 15 carpels. | |
Iridaceae - A monocot plant family of the Liliopsida class. It is classified by some in the Liliales order and some in the Asparagales order. | |
Juglandaceae - The walnut plant family of the order Juglandales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are mainly temperate zone trees. | |
Krameriaceae - A plant family of the order Polygalales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Lamiaceae - The mint plant family. They are characteristically aromatic, and many of them are cultivated for their oils. Most have square stems, opposite leaves, and two-lipped, open-mouthed, tubular corollas (united petals), with five-lobed, bell-like calyxes (united sepals). | |
Lauraceae - A family of mainly aromatic evergeen plants in the order Laurales. The laurel family includes 2,200 species in 45 genera and from these are derived medicinal extracts, essential oils, camphor and other products. | |
Lecythidaceae - A plant family of the order Lecythidales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Liliaceae - A monocot family within the order Liliales. This family is divided by some botanists into subfamilies such as Convallariaceae and Hyacinthaceae. Members include many common garden plants such as the lily, ONION; ALOE; and COLCHICUM. | |
Linaceae - A plant family in the order Linales. These plants have simple leaves and regular flowers housing a compound ovary. Stamens are usually fused by their filaments. | |
Loganiaceae - A plant family of the order Gentianales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. They have leaflike appendages at the base of the leafstalks, have terminal flower clusters. Petals have four or five overlapping lobes and the fruit is a capsule containing winged or wingless seeds. | |
Lythraceae - The loosestrife plant family of the order Myrtales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. Members are mainly herbs and many of them contain ALKALOIDS. | |
Magnoliaceae - A plant family of the order Magnoliales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are trees and shrubs having an elongated conelike floral axis with fragrant flowers that have six tepals (sepals and petals that are not distinctly different) and many spirally arranged stamens. | |
Malpighiaceae - A plant family of the order Polygalales, subclass Rosidae class, Magnoliopsida that are mostly shrubs and small trees. Many of the members contain indole alkaloids. | |
Malvaceae - The mallow family of the order Malvales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. Members include COTTON, okra (ABELMOSCHUS), HIBISCUS, and CACAO. The common names of hollyhock and mallow are used for several genera of Malvaceae. | |
Melastomataceae - A plant family of the order Myrtales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida composed of tropical plants with parallel-nerved leaves. | |
Meliaceae - The mahogany plant family of the order Sapindales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Menispermaceae - A plant family of the order Ranunculales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. Members are mostly vines and shrubs and they contain isoquinoline alkaloids, some of which have been used as arrow poisons. | |
Mistletoe - Parasitic plants that form a bushy growth on branches of host trees which are in the order Santalales. It includes the Christmas mistletoe family (VISCACEAE), the showy mistletoe family (LORANTHACEAE) and the catkin mistletoe family (Eremolepidaceae). The composition of toxins, lectins, tyramine, phenethylamines, and other compounds may be affected by the host. | |
Molluginaceae - A plant family of the order Caryophyllales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida. Some members contain triterpenoid saponins. | |
Monimiaceae - A plant family of the order Laurales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Moraceae - The mulberry plant family of the order Urticales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. They have milky latex and small, petalless male or female flowers. | |
Moringa - A plant genus of the family Moringaceae, order Capparales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Myoporaceae - A plant family of the order Scrophulariales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Myricaceae - A plant family of the order Myricales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are trees and shrubs having aromatic leaves that often have yellow glandular dots on the surface. Single-seeded fruits are often covered with waxy granules, bumps, or layers. The flowers are small, greenish, and inconspicuous. | |
Myristicaceae - A family of flowering plants in the order Magnoliales. Many of the species are tropical and have fragrant wood and leaves. | |
Myrsinaceae - A plant family of the order Primulales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Myrtaceae - The myrtle plant family of the order Myrtales. It includes several aromatic medicinal plants such as EUCALYPTUS. | |
Nelumbonaceae - A plant family of the order Nymphaeales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are aquatic plants. | |
Nyctaginaceae - A plant family of the order Caryophyllales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Nymphaeaceae - The sour gum plant family of the order Nymphaeales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. All have horizontal or hanging branches and broad alternate leaves, and they are dioecious (male and female flowers on different plants). | |
Nyssaceae - A plant family of the order Cornales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. Some botanical classifications do not recognize this family and place the members in CORNACEAE. | |
Ochnaceae - A plant family of the order THEALES, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida that have evergreen, alternate leaves. | |
Olacaceae - A small plant family of the order Santalales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Oleaceae - A plant family of the order Scrophulariales subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. The leaves are usually opposite and the flowers usually have four sepals, four petals, two stamens, and two fused carpels that form a single superior ovary. | |
Onagraceae - The evening primrose plant family of the order Myrtales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. Flower parts are mostly in fours and the ovary is inferior. | |
Orchidaceae - A plant family of the order Orchidales, subclass Liliidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons). All orchids have the same bilaterally symmetrical flower structure, with three sepals, but the flowers vary greatly in color and shape. | |
Orobanchaceae - The broom-rape plant family of the order Scrophulariales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Paeonia - A plant genus of the family Paeoniaceae, order Dilleniales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. These perennial herbs are up to 2 m (6') tall. Leaves are alternate and are divided into three lobes, each lobe being further divided into three smaller lobes. The large flowers are symmetrical, bisexual, have 5 sepals, 5 petals (sometimes 10), and many stamens. | |
Pandanaceae - A plant family of the order Pandanales, subclass Arecidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons). | |
Papaveraceae - The poppy plant family of the order Papaverales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. These have bisexual, regular, cup-shaped flowers with one superior pistil and many stamens; 2 or 3 conspicuous, separate sepals and a number of separate petals. The fruit is a capsule. Leaves are usually deeply cut or divided into leaflets. | |
Passifloraceae - A plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida that are herbaceous or woody vines, shrubs, and trees, mostly of warm regions. Many have tendrils in leaf axils. Leaves are alternate. Flowers have 3-5 sepals, petals and stamens. Nearly all species have seeds that bear a fleshy appendage called an aril. | |
Pedaliaceae - The sesamum family of the order Scrophulariales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida that are mainly herbs and shrubs growing in warm regions. | |
Phytolaccaceae - The pokeweed plant family of the order Caryophyllales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida. The leaves are alternate, simple and smooth-edged and the flowers are in spikes or panicles and are usually bisexual. | |
Piperaceae - A family of flowering plants in the order Piperales best known for the black pepper widely used in SPICES, and for KAVA and Betel used for neuroactive properties. | |
Plantago - A plant genus of the family Plantaginaceae, order Plantaginales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. The small plants usually have a dense tuft of basal leaves and long, leafless stalks bearing a terminal spike of small flowers. The seeds, known as PSYLLIUM, swell in water and are used as laxatives. The leaves have been used medicinally. | |
Plumbaginaceae - A plant family of the order Plumbaginales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida of shrubs and herbs. Some members contain anthocyanins and naphthaquinones. | |
Poaceae - A large family of narrow-leaved herbaceous grasses of the order Cyperales, subclass Commelinidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons). Food grains (CEREALS) come from members of this family. HAY FEVER can be induced by POLLEN of many of the grasses. | |
Polygalaceae - A plant family of the order Polygalales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Polygonaceae - The only family of the buckwheat order (Polygonales) of dicotyledonous flowering plants. It has 40 genera of herbs, shrubs, and trees. | |
Pontederiaceae - A plant family of the order Liliales, subclass Liliidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons). Most species are perennials, native primarily to tropical America. They have creeping rootstocks, fibrous roots, and leaves in clusters at the base of the plant or borne on branched stems. The fruit is a capsule containing many seeds, or a one-seeded winged structure. | |
Portulacaceae - A plant family of the order Caryophyllales, subclass Caryophyllidae, class Magnoliopsida. There are no true petals; each flower has two to six sepals. They produce betacyanin and betaxanthin pigments and lack anthocyanins. | |
Primulaceae - A plant family of the order Primulales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. The flowers have both stamens and pistil, and the fruits are capsules. | |
Proteaceae - A plant family of the order Proteales, subclass Rosidae class Magnoliopsida. Cluster roots, bottlebrush-like clusters of rootlets which form in response to poor soil, are common in this family. | |
Punicaceae - A plant family of the order Myrtales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida that is a small family with a single genus. | |
Pyrolaceae - A plant family of the order Ericales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Ranunculaceae - The buttercup plant family of the order Ranunculales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. The leaves are usually alternate and stalkless. The flowers usually have two to five free sepals and may be radially symmetrical or irregular. | |
Resedaceae - A plant family of the order Capparales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. It is a small family of herbs and shrubs. Some produce GLUCOSINOLATES. | |
Rhamnaceae - The buckthorn plant family, of the order Rhamnales, includes some species with edible fruits and some that are medicinal. | |
Rhizophoraceae - A plant family of the order Rhizophorales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida, that includes mangrove trees. | |
Rosales - An order of the ANGIOSPERMS, subclass Rosidae. Its members include some of the most known ornamental and edible plants of temperate zones including roses, apples, cherries, and peaches. | |
Rubiaceae - The Madder plant family of the order Rubiales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida includes important medicinal plants that provide QUININE; IPECAC; and COFFEE. They have opposite leaves and interpetiolar stipules. | |
Rutaceae - A plant family in the order Sapindales that grows in warmer regions and has conspicuous flowers. Fagara species have been reclassified, most to ZANTHOXYLUM, some to Melicope or GLEDITSIA. The common name of stinkwood used for Zieria is also used for OCOTEA. | |
Salicaceae - A plant family of the order Salicales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. The leaves are alternate and simple. Staminate (male) flowers consist of from one to many stamens. Pistillate (female) flowers consist of a one-chambered ovary with several to many ovules (potential silky seeds). | |
Salvadoraceae - A plant family of the order Celastrales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida, a small family growing in the tropics. Members contain piperidine alkaloids and GLUCOSINOLATES. | |
Santalaceae - A plant family of the order Santalales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are parasites that form connections (haustoria) to their hosts to obtain water and nutrients. The one-seeded fruit may be surrounded by a brightly colored nut-like structure. | |
Sapindaceae - The soapberry plant family of the order Sapindales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. Some members contain SAPONINS. | |
Sapotaceae - A plant family of the order Ebenales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida that are tropical trees which have elongate latex cells. Several members bear sweet edible fruits and produce triterpenoid saponins. | |
Saururaceae - A plant family of the order Piperales, subclass Magnoliidae class Magnoliopsida. Members contain sauristolactam, and aristololactam BII. | |
Schisandraceae - A plant family of the order Illiciales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Scrophulariaceae - The figwort plant family of the order Scrophulariales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. The family is characterized by bisexual flowers with tubular corollas (fused petals) that are bilaterally symmetrical (two-lips) and have four stamens in most, two of which are usually shorter. | |
Simaroubaceae - A plant family of the order Sapindales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. Leaves are alternate and compound. Most have small flowers, bitter bark, and fleshy fruits that are sometimes winged. Members contain QUASSINS. | |
Smilacaceae - A plant family of the order Liliales, subclass Liliidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledon). | |
Solanaceae - A plant family of the order Solanales, subclass Asteridae. Among the most important are POTATOES; TOMATOES; CAPSICUM (green and red peppers); TOBACCO; and BELLADONNA. | |
Stemonaceae - A small plant family of the order Liliales, subclass Liliidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons). | |
Sterculiaceae - A plant family of the order Malvales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. The leaves of Sterculiaceae are alternate and simple or palmately compound. Flowers have three to five sepals and five or no petals. | |
Styracaceae - A plant family of the order Ebenales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Tamaricaceae - A plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Theales - A plant order of the subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. It includes 18 families, approximately 175 genera, and 3,400 species. Its members are mostly tropical trees and shrubs. | |
Thymelaeaceae - A plant family of the order Myrtales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. They are mainly trees and shrubs. Many members contain mucilage and COUMARINS. | |
Tiliaceae - A plant family of the order Malvales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Tropaeolaceae - A plant family of the order Geraniales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Turnera - A plant genus of the family Turneraceae, order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Typhaceae - A plant family of the order Typhales, subclass Commelinidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons) that contains a single genus, Typha, that grows worldwide. | |
Ulmaceae - A plant family of the order Urticales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. Members are trees and shrubs of temperate regions that have watery sap and alternate leaves which are lopsided at the base. The flowers lack petals. | |
Urticaceae - The nettles plant family of the order Urticales, subclass Hamamelidae, class Magnoliopsida. Many have stinging hairs on stems and leaves. Flowers are small and greenish in leaf axils. The fruit is dry and one-seeded. | |
Valerianaceae - The Valerian plant family of the order Dipsacales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida that is characterized by 3-5-lobed tubular flowers, often spurred at the base and clustered in tight heads. | |
Verbenaceae - A plant family of the order Lamiales, subclass Asteridae, class Magnoliopsida. The leaves are opposite or whorled. The flowers are aggregated in spikes, clusters, or racemes. | |
Violaceae - A plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. | |
Vitaceae - A plant family of the order Rhamnales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida, best known for the VITIS genus, the source of grapes. | |
Winteraceae - A plant family of the order Magnoliales, subclass Magnoliidae, class Magnoliopsida. The wood lacks water-conducting cells but has acrid sap. The leaves are gland-dotted, leathery, and smooth-margined. The flowers are small, in clusters, with two to six sepals, petals in two or more series, several stamens, and one to several carpels. | |
Zingiberales - This plant order includes 8 families, 66 genera, and about 1,800 species. These herbaceous perennials are mainly found in the wet tropics. Members include the banana family (MUSACEAE) and GINGER family (ZINGIBERACEAE). | |
Zygophyllaceae - A plant family of the order Sapindales, subclass Rosidae, class Magnoliopsida which is a small family of small trees and shrubs growing in arid and warm regions. |
Angiosperms Medical Definitions and Terms
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