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Asclepiadaceae
The Asclepiadoideae are a subfamily of plants in the family Apocynaceae. Formerly, it was treated as a separate family under the name Asclepiadaceae, e.g. by APG II, and known as the milkweed family. They form a group of perennial herbs, twining shrubs, lianas or rarely trees but notably also contain a significant number of leafless stem succulents. The name comes from the type genus '' Asclepias'' (milkweeds). There are 348 genera, with about 2,900 species. They are mainly located in the tropics to subtropics, especially in Africa and South America. The florally-advanced tribe Stapelieae within this family contains several relatively familiar stem succulent genera, such as '' Orbea'', '' Huernia, Stapelia'' and '' Hoodia''. They are remarkable for the complex mechanisms which they have developed for pollination, independently parallel to the unrelated Orchidaceae, such as the grouping of their pollen into pollinia. The "fragrance" (or odor) of the flowers, often called " ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Apocynaceae
Apocynaceae (, from '' Apocynum'', Greek for "dog-away") is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, stem succulents, and vines, commonly known as the dogbane family, because some taxa were used as dog poison. Notable members of the family include oleander, dogbanes, milkweeds, and periwinkles. The family is native to the European, Asian, African, Australian, and American tropics or subtropics, with some temperate members as well. The former family Asclepiadaceae (now known as Asclepiadoideae) is considered a subfamily of Apocynaceae and contains 348 genera. A list of Apocynaceae genera may be found here. Many species are tall trees found in tropical forests, but some grow in tropical dry ( xeric) environments. Also perennial herbs from temperate zones occur. Many of these plants have milky latex, and many species are poisonous if ingested, the family being rich in genera containing alkaloids and cardiac glycosides, those containing the latter oft ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Microloma Calycinum PICT2490
''Microloma'' is a small genus of ''Ceropegia''-like twiners and twiggy bushes occurring in mainly arid or fynbos regions in South Africa. They are generally undistinguished when not in bloom, but the flowers of most species are incongruously decorative. Overview ''Microloma'' Robert Brown (botanist, born 1773), R. Br. in Mem. Werner. Soc.1: 53, (1809), is a genus of herbaceous perennial plant, perennial, dicotyledonous plants. ''Microloma'' species were originally described as members of the genus Ceropegia, in the family (biology), family Asclepiadaceae, but Robert Brown (botanist, born 1773), Brown separated them and created a new genus, still in the family Asclepiadaceae. More recently the Asclepiadaceae have been reclassified as the Family (biology), subfamily Asclepiadoideae of the dogbane family Apocynaceae. Common names of ''Microloma'' species are various and regional; Manning mentions "wax creeper" and "melktou" (literally "milk-string", a curious name because the pl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Araujia
''Araujia'' is a small genus of perennial vines in the Apocynaceae, dogbane family first described as a genus in 1817. The group is native to South America. Species The following species are recognised in the genus ''Araujia'': *''Araujia angustifolia'' - Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, NE Argentina *''Araujia brachystephana'' *''Araujia hassleriana'' *''Araujia herzogii'' - Bolivia *''Araujia megapotamica'' - Brazil, Uruguay, NE Argentina *''Araujia odorata'' *''Araujia plumosa'' - Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, NW Argentina *''Araujia scalae'' *''Araujia sericifera'' - white bladderflower, cruel vine - Peru, Brazil; naturalized in parts of South Africa + United States *''Araujia stormiana'' *''Araujia stuckertiana'' - Cordoba in Argentina *''Araujia subhastata'' - Brazil *''Araujia variegata'' References External links Jepson Manual Treatment [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Asclepias
''Asclepias'' is a genus of herbaceous, perennial, flowering plants known as milkweeds, named for their latex, a milky substance containing cardiac glycosides termed cardenolides, exuded where cells are damaged. Most species are toxic to humans and many other species, primarily due to the presence of cardenolides. However, as with many such plants, some species feed upon milkweed leaves or the nectar from their flowers. A noteworthy feeder on milkweeds is the monarch butterfly, which uses and requires certain milkweeds as host plants for its larvae. The ''Asclepias'' genus contains over 200 species distributed broadly across Africa, North America, and South America. It previously belonged to the family Asclepiadaceae, which is now classified as the subfamily Asclepiadoideae of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. The genus was formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, who named it after Asclepius, the Greek god of healing. Flowers Members of the genus produce some of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Matelea
''Matelea'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. It contains about 200 species, which are commonly known as milkvines. Some people consider '' Chthamalia'' to be a synonym to or a subgenus of ''Matelea''. Species , Plants of the World Online accepted the following species: *'' Matelea abbreviata'' Standl. & L.O.Williams *'' Matelea acevedoi'' Morillo *'' Matelea acuminata'' (Griseb.) Woodson *'' Matelea adenocardia'' (Standl.) Woodson *'' Matelea alabamensis'' (Vail) Woodson *'' Matelea alainii'' Woodson *'' Matelea altamirana'' Morillo *'' Matelea ampiyacuensis'' Morillo *'' Matelea andina'' (Malme) Morillo *'' Matelea angustifolia'' (Griseb.) Greuter & Liede *'' Matelea angustiloba'' (B.L.Rob. & Greenm.) W.D.Stevens *'' Matelea annulata'' Alain *'' Matelea araneosa'' (Donn.Sm.) Woodson *'' Matelea asplundii'' (Malme) Morillo *'' Matelea atrocoronata'' (Brandegee) Woodson *'' Matelea atrolingua'' Morillo, I.L.Morais & Farinaccio *'' Matelea atrostellata'' Ri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stem Succulent
Stem succulents are fleshy succulent columnar shaped plants which conduct photosynthesis mainly through their stems rather than their leaves.Frerea indica, a Stem Succulent CAM Plant with Deciduous Cā Leaves, Otto L. Lange and Margit Zuber, Oecologia, Vol. 31, No. 1 (1977), pp. 67-72, Published by: Springer/ref> These plants are defined by their succulent stems and have evolved to have similar forms by convergent evolution to occupy similar niches. Description Stem succulents are succulent plants defined by their succulent stems, which function to store water and conduct photosynthesis. These plants, like many others native to hot desert regions, undergo CAM photosynthesis, an alternative metabolic pathway where the plants' stomata open to exchange gasses and fix almost exclusively at night. Their leaves are absent or highly reduced, instead forming protective spines or thorns to deter herbivores and collect drip condensed water vapor at night. Stem succulents are related ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Succulent Plant
In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meaning "juice" or "sap". Succulents may store water in various structures, such as leaf, leaves and Plant stem, stems. The water content of some succulent organs can get up to 90ā95%, such as ''Glottiphyllum semicyllindricum'' and ''Mesembryanthemum barkleyii''. Some definitions also include roots, thus geophytes that survive unfavorable periods by dying back to underground storage organs (caudex) may be regarded as succulents. The habitats of these water-preserving plants are often in areas with high temperatures and low rainfall, such as deserts, but succulents may be found even in Alpine climate, alpine ecosystems growing in rocky or sandy soil. Succulents are characterized by their ability to thrive on limited water sources, such as mist ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stapelieae
Stapeliinae is a subtribe of flowering plants within the tribe Ceropegieae of the subfamily Asclepiadoideae of the family Apocynaceae. The subtribe comprises about 35 genera, including both the stem-succulent "stapeliads" and the horticulturally popular genera '' Brachystelma'' and '' Ceropegia''. The largest number of genera are native to Africa, but a more limited number of genera are widespread in Arabia and Asia. Historically, a similarly circumscribed taxon was treated as a separate tribe, Stapelieae. Description Most of the genera of plants within the subtribe Stapeliinae are to varying degrees stem succulents, often referred to as "stapeliads". Many of these resemble cacti, though are not closely related, as an example of convergent evolution. The stems are often angular, mostly four-angled in cross-section, but in some species there are six or more, with some species of '' Hoodia'' having more than thirty angles. In size they vary from less than 2.5 cm/1" in length to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Huernia
The genus ''Huernia'' (family Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae) consists of perennial, stem succulents from Eastern and Southern Africa and Arabia, first described as a genus in 1810.Brown, Robert. 1810. On the Asclepiadeae 11 The flowers are five-lobed, usually somewhat more funnel- or bell-shaped than in the closely related genus ''Stapelia'', and often striped vividly in contrasting colors or tones, some glossy, others matte and wrinkled depending on the species concerned. Frequently the flowers are colored a variation of red, yellow or brown. To pollinate, the flowers attract flies by emitting a scent similar to that of carrion. The genus is considered close to the genera ''Stapelia'' and '' Hoodia''. Phylogenetic studies have shown the genus to be monophyletic, and most closely related to the genus '' Tavaresia'', and to a widespread branch of stapeliads comprising the genera '' Orbea'', ''Piaranthus'' and ''Stapelia''.P. Bruyns, C. Klak, P. Hanacek: ''Evolution of t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pollination
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from an anther of a plant to the stigma (botany), stigma of a plant, later enabling fertilisation and the production of seeds. Pollinating agents can be animals such as insects, for example bees, beetles or butterflies; birds, and bats; water; wind; and even plants themselves. Pollinating animals travel from plant to plant carrying pollen on their bodies in a vital interaction that allows the transfer of genetic material critical to the reproductive system of most flowering plants. Self-pollination occurs within a closed flower. Pollination often occurs within a species. When pollination occurs between species, it can produce hybrid (biology), hybrid offspring in nature and in plant breeding work. In angiosperms, after the pollen grain (gametophyte) has landed on the stigma (botany), stigma, it germinates and develops a pollen tube which grows down the style (botany), style until it reaches an ovary (botany), ovary. Its two gametes travel down ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Molecular Phylogenetics
Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to determine the processes by which diversity among species has been achieved. The result of a molecular phylogenetics, phylogenetic analysis is expressed in a phylogenetic tree. Molecular phylogenetics is one aspect of molecular systematics, a broader term that also includes the use of molecular data in Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy and biogeography. Molecular phylogenetics and molecular evolution correlate. Molecular evolution is the process of selective changes (mutations) at a molecular level (genes, proteins, etc.) throughout various branches in the tree of life (evolution). Molecular phylogenetics makes inferences of the evolutionary relationships that arise due to molecular evolution and results in the construction of a phylogenetic tre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hybrid (biology)
In biology, a hybrid is the offspring resulting from combining the qualities of two organisms of different varieties, subspecies, species or genera through sexual reproduction. Generally, it means that each cell has genetic material from two different organisms, whereas an individual where some cells are derived from a different organism is called a chimera. Hybrids are not always intermediates between their parents such as in blending inheritance (a now discredited theory in modern genetics by particulate inheritance), but can show hybrid vigor, sometimes growing larger or taller than either parent. The concept of a hybrid is interpreted differently in animal and plant breeding, where there is interest in the individual parentage. In genetics, attention is focused on the numbers of chromosomes. In taxonomy, a key question is how closely related the parent species are. Species are reproductively isolated by strong barriers to hybridization, which include genetic and morph ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
