Flowering Plants

Acanthaceae: the acanthus family of flowering plants Acanthaceae Acanthaceae is a mostly tropical family of about 230 genera and ~3,500 species of herbs, shrubs, vines and a few trees, noted for bilabiate flowers, showy bracts and explosive seed…

Acinos — a small genus of aromatic Mediterranean plants Acinos Acinos is a small genus of aromatic, tufted annuals and short-lived perennials native to southern Europe and western Asia, valued for their flowers, fragrance and role in rock and…

Amaryllidaceae — the amaryllis family of flowering plants Amaryllidaceae Amaryllidaceae is a family of mostly bulbous monocot flowering plants that includes daffodils, amaryllis, snowdrops and, in modern classifications, the onion group; important ornam…

Anacardiaceae — the cashew and sumac family Anacardiaceae Anacardiaceae is a family of flowering woody plants (about 70 genera, 650 species) including cashew, mango and pistachio. Many are tropical, economically important, and produce res…

Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG): Molecular-Based Classification of Flowering Plants Angiosperm Phylogeny Group Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG): an international botanist collaboration using molecular phylogenetics to develop consensus, evolution-based classifications of flowering plants, u…

Apocynaceae — the dogbane and oleander family Apocynaceae Apocynaceae is a diverse family of flowering plants (trees, shrubs, herbs, lianas) known for milky sap, complex flowers and both toxic and medicinal species; circumscription and us…

Aquilegia (columbine): spurred perennial flowers of the Northern Hemisphere Aquilegia Aquilegia, commonly called columbine or granny's bonnet, is a genus of about 60–70 spurred perennial plants valued in gardens and studied for their floral diversity and pollination…

Araliaceae: the ivy family — diversity, features, and uses Araliaceae Araliaceae is a family of mainly woody flowering plants including ivies, ginsengs and scheffleras, known for compound leaves and clusters of small flowers; widely used ornamentally…

Argemone (prickly poppy): description, distribution, uses and risks Argemone Argemone, commonly called prickly poppy, is a genus of spiny, poppy-like plants used ornamentally and in folk medicine; several species are weedy and contain toxic alkaloids linked…

Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort or Pipevine Family) Aristolochiaceae Aristolochiaceae is a small family of flowering plants (about seven genera, ~400 species) in the order Piperales, known for pipe-shaped flowers, specialized pollination, and toxic…

Artemisia (genus of flowering plants) Artemisia (genus) Artemisia is a diverse genus of aromatic herbs and shrubs in the daisy family Asteraceae, widely distributed across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and notable for med…

Asclepias erosa — desert milkweed Asclepias erosa Asclepias erosa, the desert milkweed, is a perennial milkweed native to the southwestern United States. It produces clusters of pale yellow flowers in late spring and grows on dry…

Asclepias nivea — Caribbean milkweed Asclepias nivea Asclepias nivea, the Caribbean milkweed, is a milkweed species in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae native to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; noted for white flowers, milky sa…

Asparagaceae: the asparagus family of flowering plants Asparagaceae Asparagaceae is a diverse family of monocot flowering plants (order Asparagales) that includes asparagus, agaves and many ornamentals; its circumscription was revised using molecul…

Asparagus officinalis (garden asparagus) Asparagus officinalis Perennial flowering plant cultivated for its tender spring shoots. Native to Europe, northern Africa and western Asia, valued in cooking, horticulture and nutrition and known for g…

Aster (genus) — Old World asters and their taxonomy Aster (genus) Aster is a genus of Eurasian flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, noted for daisy-like late-season flowers. 1990s taxonomic revisions moved many North American species to oth…

Asteraceae (Compositae) — the daisy and sunflower family Asteraceae One of the largest families of flowering plants, Asteraceae (or Compositae) is characterized by composite flower heads (pseudanthia) and includes sunflowers, daisies, thistles and…

Ballota (horehound): Mediterranean genus of mint-family flowering plants Ballota Ballota (horehound) is a genus of about 35 mint-family flowering plants native to the Mediterranean, Europe, North Africa and western Asia, adapted to dry, sunlit habitats and acti…

Begonia (genus of flowering plants) Begonia Begonia is a large genus of perennial flowering plants native to tropical and subtropical regions, valued for diverse foliage and flowers and widely cultivated as ornamentals and h…

Begoniaceae — the begonia family of flowering plants Begoniaceae Begoniaceae is a pantropical family dominated by the genus Begonia, known for asymmetric leaves and showy unisexual flowers; many species are cultivated as ornamentals and some are…

Bellis perennis (common daisy): description, distribution, uses and distinctions Bellis perennis Bellis perennis, the common or English daisy, is a small perennial of the Asteraceae family, widespread in Europe and naturalised across temperate regions; noted for its composite…

Blephilia: wood mints of eastern North America Blephilia Blephilia is a small genus of three perennial herbaceous plants in the mint family native to eastern North America, known for tubular, two-lipped flowers, aromatic foliage, pollina…

Brassicaceae — the mustard and cabbage family Brassicaceae Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) is a widespread family of flowering plants including mustards, cabbages, radishes, wasabi and the model Arabidopsis; notable for cross-shaped flowers and…

Dicotyledon (dicot): historical group and modern understanding Dicotyledon Dicotyledons (dicots) were a traditional grouping of flowering plants with two seed leaves. Molecular studies split them into several lineages; the eudicots form the largest monoph…

Flower (Angiosperm Reproductive Structure) Flower A flower is the reproductive structure of angiosperms. This article explains form, parts, pollination, life cycle, uses, and cultural significance of flowers in nature and human li…