This is a very extensive summary of the course Biodiversity. It contains all the information from the lectures. This summary included the characteristics with visualization for proper recognition and taxonomy.
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,Rosacea
Characteristics:
- Numerous stamen.
- Most often 5 petals (free (not fused together)).
- Distinct calyx (sepals), with sometimes an epicalyx (free
sepals).
- Fleshy fruit.
Vegetative traits:
- Leaves always with stipule (leaf-like structure always at the
base of the leaves).
- Often with compounded leaves.
- Leaflets often serrated.
Genera within the Rosaceae:
- Genus Potantilla.
- Genus Prunus.
- Genus Rubus.
Rosaceae – genus Potentilla:
- Herbaceous without prickles.
- Calyx and epicalyx.
- Flowers often yellow, otherwise white (only one species in the Netherlands).
- Leaves palmately (5 separate leaflets) or pinnately (2 leaflets) compound.
- Margins serrated or toothed.
- Small seeds compared to the other Rosaceae.
Rosaceae – genus Prunus:
- Woody shrubs or trees.
- Often flower exurbantly (a lot of flowers).
- Simple leaves (not compound) with glands at base (to attract insects).
- Fruits well-developed.
Rosaceae – genus Rubus:
- Prickly (one of the two prickly genus of Rosaceae).
- Semi-woody.
- Pannicle-like inflorescence.
- Obvious fruits.
- Carrying thorns.
- Compound leaves (3 or 5).
- Unorganised, tangled look.
,Asteraceae
Characteristics:
- Sensory system (for pollen release).
- Petals are fused.
- Tubular (outside) and/or ligulate (inside) flowers.
- Pappus.
- Involucre composed of phyllaries.
Genera of Asteraceae:
- Genus Centaurea.
- Genus Cirsium.
Asteraceae – genus Centaurea:
- Herbaceaous plants.
- Inflorescences alone at the end of stem.
- Flowers all tubular – typical edge flowers.
- Typical involucre.
- Leaves simple to deeply cut.
Astreaceae – genus Cirsium:
- Thristles – thus have prickles.
- Prickles only on leaves and involucre.
- Flowers all tubular.
- Pappus with long side hairs – feathery look.
Lamiaceae
Characteristics:
- Stamens are adapted (bend down on top of the insect) for better fertilization (and no
self-fertilization).
- Flowers with fused petals.
- Clear ‘lips’.
- Sepals fused.
- Flowers in false whorl.
Vegetative traits:
- Decussate leaves.
- Quandrangular stem
Genera of Lamiaceae:
- Genus Lamium.
Lamiaceae – genus Lamium:
- ‘Perfect representatives of Lamiaceae’.
- Typical venation.
- Resemble burning nettles.
, Fabaceae
Characteristics:
- Nitrogen-fixating bacteria in the roots.
- Flower consists of 5 petals:
1 banner
2 wings
1 keel (2 merged petals).
- 10 stamen, 9 fused.
- Petals never fused at base.
Vegetative traits:
- Leaves often compound.
- Sometimes leaves with tendrils.
- Stipules at the base of leaves.
- The fruits are very pea-like.
Genera of Fabaceae:
- Genus Trifolium.
- Genus Vicia.
Fabaceae – genus Trifolium:
- Always three leaflets (although… could be four).
- Globular head with flowers.
- Fruits are often small (cannot see them), not
surpassing the theeth of the calyx.
- Pronounced stipules.
Fabaceae – genus Vicia:
- Pinnately compound leaves.
- Large, pea-like fruits.
- Tendrils.
- Flowers often with many together in terminal panicle (but not always!).
- Thin, quandrangular stems.
Vegetative traits
You need to distinguish vegetative traits when the plant does not have a flower (where you
can recognize the plant from).
Leaves: different shapes and the arrangement of leaves (compound leaves). Margin
(serrated etc.) and venation are important differences.
Growth forms – roots:
Beneath ground:
- Extended rhizomes
- Short rhizomes (tufts)
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