Plant Families

Fabaceae-Caesalpiniaceae The members of the family are distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions. There are about 135 genera in the family. The most commonly found members of the family are Cassia fistula (amaltas), Bauhinia (kachnar – flowers used as vegetable), Tamarindus (imli), Poinciana (gul-e-mohr), Parkinsonia (vilayati kikar), Saraca indica (ashok) and Caesalpinia. Distinguish Features: Herb, shrubs or tree, paripinnate compound ...

Fabaceae (Papilionaceae) The members of the family are distributed in plains and hilly areas of temperate regions of both northern and southern hemisphere. Most of the plants are herbs and flowers during winter. Most members are cultivated for their economic value as they are the source of pulses, fodder, etc. The family comprises of 375 genera Distinguish Features: Herb, shrubs ...

Rutaceae (Citrus Family) The members of the family are worldwide in distribution in warm temperate and tropical regions of the world. The family comprises of 140 genera 1300 species. In Pakistan, the family is represented by Citrus aurantium (Orange), Murraya exotica (kamini), Ruta graveolens (a strong-smelling herb), etc. Distinguish Features: Shrubs or small tree, simple alternate leaves, dotted with glands, ...

Malvaceae The members of the family are worldwide in distribution especially in tropical regions of the world. The family consists 0f 82 genera and 1500 species. Commonly found species of Pakistan are: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (china rose), Malva sylvestris, Alcea rosea (hollyhock), Abutilon (kangi), Gossypium (cotton), etc. Distinguish Features: Herbs of shrubs, simple alternate leaves, flower hermaphrodite, actinomorphic, pentamerous having epicalyx, ...

Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) The members of the family are cosmopolitan in distribution commonly found in north temperate regions. The family comprises of about 350 Genera and 2500 Species. The most common species found in Pakistan are: Brassica campestris (sarson), Brassica oleracea, Raphanus sativus (radish), Iberis amara, Senebiera didyma (a weed of cultivation during cold season), etc. Distinguish Features: Mostly herbs with ...

Delphinium ajacis (Rocket Larkspur) The family include about 35 genera and 1500 species distributed in temperature and colder regions of the world. The family includes many common plants such as Ranunculus (buttercup), Caltha (marsh marigold), Clematis, Anemone, Thalictrum (mamira), Delphinium (larkspur), Nigella (kala zira) and Aconitum (monkshood). Distinguishing Features: Mostly herbs with simple leaves, flower hypogynous with free sepal and petals, ...

Ranunculaceae The family include about 35 genera and 1500 species distributed in temperature and colder regions of the world. The family includes many common plants such as Ranunculus (buttercup), Caltha (marsh marigold), Clematis, Anemone, Thalictrum (mamira), Delphinium (larkspur), Nigella (kala zira) and Aconitum (monkshood). Distinguishing Features: Mostly herbs with simple leaves, flower hypogynous with free sepal and petals, stamens indefinite ...

Families Key to Flowering Families 1. Leaf Venation ____ Parallel …………………………………………………Monocots A. Ovary Superior: i. Monocarpellary, Styles two and Stigmas feathery …………………………………………………Poaceae. ii. Tricarpellary a. Leaves large, fan-like or pinnately compound Stigmas not feathery …………………………………………………Palmae. b. Leaves long narrow, Perianth colored or white …………………………………………………Liliaceae B. Ovary Inferior: i. Stamens with colored (non-green) filaments Anthers monothecous …………………………………………………Canaceae ii. Stamens not Colored ...

Diagnostic characters Habits: Annual or perennial herbs rarely shrubs. Roots: Tap root, branched, sometimes, tuberous due to presence of stored food. Stem: Herbaceous stem, erect or prostate with swollen nodes. Leaves: Petiolate, Alternate, simple, exstipulate, reticulate venation. Usually sheathing at the base. Inflorescence: Cymose, umbel (old name of family Umbelliferae derive from umbel), simple or compound. Umbel is surrounded by ...