Ranunculaceae
|
Ranunculaceae |
|
Links to Directory of Images:
| Aconitum | Delphinium |
| Actaea | Helleborus |
| Anemone | Hepatica |
| Anemonella | Hydrastis |
| Aqueligia | Isopyrum biternatum |
| Caltha | Nigella |
| Clematis | Ranunculus |
| Coptis | Thalictrum |
Distribution: Mainly in
cooler temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere.
Economic Uses: Many attractive
garden ornamentals.
Defining
Features of Interest: The family is
large and has been divided either into 6 subfamilies or into many
smaller families by some botanists.
Fossil Evidence: No known
fossil record.
Floral Features : Actinomorphic and perfect (rarely zygomorphic and unisexual). Inflorescence is as a cyme, panicle or raceme, or as a solitary flower. Hypogynous. Stipules are lacking.
Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit is an achene, berry, follicle or a capsule. Seeds with endosperm present. Placentation is parietal.
Vegetative Features
: Habit is as woody shrubs or small trees (rarely a vine). Leaves
are simple or compound with netted venation and alternate (sometimes
opposite). Stipules are lacking.
