Gentianaceae Swertia bimaculata.

Presentation on theme: "Gentianaceae Swertia bimaculata."— Presentation transcript:

1 Gentianaceae Swertia bimaculata

2 The Family 87 genera Over 1500 species Found worldwide
There are trees and shrubs, but mostly herbs Cultivated as ornamentals Some species used for medicinal purposes Species exhibit a wide range of colors and floral patterns Gentiana septemfida

3 Origination King Gentius of Illyria
Botanical authority: August Grisebach (1836) Estimated to be approximately 50 million years old

4 Specs Actinomorphic Bi-sexual Tepals Parietal placentation
Cymose inflorescence Capsule fruit (sometimes berry) Plants typically rhizomatous Bird and insect pollinated, some species also bat pollinated

5 Specs (cont.) Habit ranges from ascending, to erect or twining stems
Leaves are usually alternate, can be opposite or whorled. Simple Entire Bases connected to stem (connate) Stipules absent Centaurium erythaea

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7 Myco-heterotrophy Plant parasitizes fungi
Orchids exhibit myco-heterotrophy Partial myco-heterotroph, can photosynthesize if necessary Sometimes referred to as ‘mychorrhizal cheaters’ Gentiana lutea

8 Classification Debate
Recent rearrangements Anthocleista went from Loganiaceae to Gentianaceae Bartonia also had members in Losaceae family, but they have been changed to the genus Mentzelia Based on molecular, morphological, and photochemical evidence Anthocleista grandiflora Bartonia virginica

9 Gentian Type genus of family Approx. 400 species
Worldwide distribution Some are evergreen Polymorphic Said to have healing powers Used in alcoholic beverages and, at one time, soda Gentiana asclepiadea

10 G. paradoxa G. asclepiadea G. douglassiana G. pannonica

11 Centaurium Named after centaur Chiron (Greek mythology)
Many plants in this genus used as folk medicines C. beyrichii was used by early pioneers to reduce fever C. erythraea has naturalized in N. America where it was introduced Members of this genus and Gentianaceae in general contain bitter principles for self-defense C. erythraea

12 Bitter Principles The bitter principles found in many Gentianaceae are thought to have originated as a self defense mechanism To humans and animals, it gives a bitter taste to the plant Has been extracted in the form of ‘Gentian’ Used in booze, soda, and medicines Autumn Frog: 1 oz. Suze 1 oz. Calvados 1 oz. French Vermouth

13 Eustoma One of the most important ornamental varieties of Gentianaceae
Many cultivars found in floral markets Can be found in Southern US, as well as other warm regions Also called Lisanthus, Texas Bluebell, Tulip Gentian, or just Gentian E. grandiflorum

14 E. russelianum E. ????? E. exaltatum

15 Exacum Nothing special, only included because it looks cool.
E. bicolor

16 E. bicolor E. artopurpurem ANTS! E. lawii

17 Macrocarpaea 105 species with 2 hybrids
Largest genus of tribe Helieae within Gentianaceae Both diurnal and nocturnal pollinators Insects, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and bats, to name a few Common name is Moon-Gentian One of few Gentianaceae genera with hairs on leaves M. apparata

18 Newly Discovered New species have been discovered as recently as 2006 (submitted ‘07) M. dies-viridis: found by Harvard students on a 2006 expedition. Named after the band Green Day (dies-viridis = day-green) M. apparata: named in 2003 for the verb apparata made popular by Harry Potter books. Also submitted by a Harvard affiliate. M. pringleana: named for Dr. Pringle of the Canadian Royal Botanical Gardens, where he was a plant taxonomist M. sodiroana

19 Insect Pollinators M. sodiroana M. sodiroana M. sodiroana M. sodiroana

20 END

21 Sources en.wikipedia.org www.botany.hawaii.edu www.bunnyhugs.org