Month: February 2024

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The Onagraceae, the evening primrose family, has the following characteristics:

1. Flowers: four petals and sepals, radial symmetry, bisexual.
2. Inflorescence: clustered in spikes, racemes, or panicles, though some species may have solitary flowers.
3. Sepals and Petals: Petals are larger and more colorful than the sepals.
4. Stamens: twice as many stamens as petals. The stamens are arranged in two whorls, with the outer whorl having twice as many stamens as the inner whorl.
5. Ovary: usually inferior, situated below the attachment of other floral parts.
6. Fruit: capsule, which splits open to release numerous small seeds.
7. Habitat: temperate and subtropical regions. Often found in moist or wet areas such as marshes, riverbanks, and along streams, but some species can also tolerate drier conditions.
8. Importance: Some species are cultivated as ornamental plants for their attractive flowers. Some species have medicinal or culinary uses.
9. Notable Genera: The Onagraceae family includes several notable genera such as Oenothera (evening primroses), Epilobium (willowherbs), and Fuchsia (fuchsias).
10. Adaptations: Many Onagraceae species have adaptations for pollination by nocturnal insects, such as moths, due to their evening blooming habits. Some species also have specialized floral structures to accommodate specific pollinators.

Characteristics of the Boraginaceae, the borage or forget-me-not family:

1. Herbaceous or shrubby habit: wide range of growth forms, from low-growing ground covers to tall shrubs.
2. Alternate leaves: Leaves are typically alternate (though sometimes opposite or whorled), simple, and often hairy. The hairs can be quite noticeable and are often stiff or bristly.
3. Inflorescence: Usually a scorpioid cyme. Sometimes racemes, or helicoid cymes. The inflorescences can be compact or elongated, depending on the species.
4. Flower characteristics: Typically bisexual and have five sepals and five fused petals, forming a distinctive tubular or funnel-shaped corolla. The flowers often have a prominent throat and may be blue, pink, purple, white, or yellow.
5. Fruit: The fruit is usually a schizocarp, which splits into four nutlets or mericarps when mature. These nutlets often have spines or prickles.
6. Chemical composition: Many species contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested.
7. Ecological diversity: Found in various habitats worldwide, including temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions.
8. Medicinal importance: Borage (Borago officinalis) is cultivated for its edible leaves and flowers, and some species are used as dyes and in traditional medicine.

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Characteristics of the Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber or Squash Family):
• Herbaceous vines
• Coiling tendrils for climbing
• Alternate leaves, typically palmately lobed
• Most species have unisexual flowers, meaning individual plants produce either male or female flowers. Some species produce both male and female flowers on the same plant.
• Five petals, often fused
• Fleshy fruits, such as cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squash, and gourds
• Extensive hybridization, leading to a wide array of cultivars with diverse traits, flavors, and appearances.

Check out this Jepson YouTube Video on the Cucurbitaceae.

Jepson key to the Cucurbitaceae

Characteristics of the Scrophulariaceae (the figwort family):
• Growth form: Trees, shrubs, or herbs
• Leaves: Opposite or spiral, simple, without stipules
• Inflorescence: Spike, raceme, or thyrse
• Flowers: Bilaterally symmetrical, superior ovary, 2 or sometimes 3 carpels, axile placentation
• Calyx: Fused sepals, 4-5
• Corolla: Fused petals, usually 5, often bilabiate, sometimes spurred
• Stamens: 2-5, sometimes with staminodes
• Fruit: Capsule, berry, or drupe
• Habitat: Terrestrial or aquatic

Link to Jepson eflora key

Link to video discussing both the Scrophulariaceae and the Plantaginaceae