Aizoaceae

  

 

Genera : 12 -143

Species: 2300 - 2500

 

 

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Distribution: Pantropical with a concentration in South Africa.

Economic Uses: As a greenhouse ornamental or landscape plant in warmer regions.

Defining Features of Interest: Has many features in common with other families (Cactaceae and Crassulaceae) that are adapted to xyric environments, such as succulent leaves.

Fossil Evidence: None known.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Actinomorphic and perfect or unisexual (monoecious). Inflorescence as a solitary flower or in cymes. Perigynous with an hypanthium present.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit a loculicidal capsule or berry (rarely as a nut). Seeds with a perisperm, but lacking endosperm. Placentation is various, including; apical, axile, basal, or parietal.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as succulent herbs or shrubs and either annual or perennial. Leaves simple and without spines and alternate or opposite. Stipules are lacking.