“Plant Families”

Acanthaceae to Araceae

INTERIOR PLANTS

ACANTHACEAE

Tender PerennialsSimple, opposite leavesIrregular, bilabate flowers on

spikes or in clusters; obvious bracts

Royal Plant Family for tropicals240 genera; 2200 sp

Acanthaceae

Pachystachy is an example of the spike flowers with obvious bracts, opposite leaves, and bilabate flowers.

AIZOACEAECarpet-Weed Family or

Mesembryanthus FamilyLeaves alt or opp, succulent and

rock-like or scalesDesert and seashore environsLeaves reduced and fleshyDaisy-like, stemless flower100 genera, 600 species

AIZOACEAE

Aptenia illustrates the daisy-like flower, fleshy leaves

AMARANTHACEAE

Distributed widely in warm countries

Brightly colored foliageOpposite or Alternate leavesFlowers are not usually importantEasy culture, tend to be weedy

AMARANTHACEAE

Iresine demonstrates the highly colored foliage and opposite leaf attachment as well as lack of attractive flowers.

AMARYLLIDACEAE

Perennial herbs that have umbellate, paniculate or single flowers

Fiberous root system or specialized such as corms, bulbs,rhizomes, etc

Inferior ovary rather than the superior ovary in Liliaceae

Six-merous, 90 genera, 1300 species

AMARALLIDACEAE

Clivia illustrates the characteristics of a specialized root system and an umble flower

ARACEAE

Aroid or Calla family; economically important

Path and spadix flowers Calcium oxalate crystals are

poisonous Flowers may be inconspicuous or

very attractive

ARACEAE

Spathyphyllum presents a creamy white flower which is an attractive version of the spathe and spadix flower. Low light levels and attractive foliage complete the look.

“Plant Families”

Araliaceae to Asclepiadaceae

INTERIOR PLANTS

ARALIACEAE

Herbs, shrubs, trees and vines, some with thorns

Insignificant flowersPalmately lobed foliageGrown for medicinal and

ornamental uses

ARALIACEAE

This schefflera demonstrates palmately lobed foliage

ARAUCARIACEAE

Evergreen trees with awl-like foliage, resinous

Whorled branches with leathery leaves

Deciduous coneGrown outdoors in Southern US

ARAUCARIACEAE

This Norfolk Island Pine is very representative of this family.

ASCLEPIADACEAE

Waxy flowers frequently on a vine

Milky juiceOpposite leaves, simple and

entireMilky sap may be toxic

ASCLEPIADACEAE

Hoya demonstrates both the waxy flowers and stiff foliage of this family.

“Plant Families”

Begoniaceae to Bromeliaceae

INTERIOR PLANTS

BEGONIACEAE

Palmately lobed leavesAlternate with a lopsided shapeSwollen nodes with red colorSucculentAttractive flowersFiberous, rhizomatous, or

tuberous

BEGONIACEAE

This Angel Wing Begonia illustrates the succulent nature and swollen nodes of the family.

BIGNONIACEAE

Opposite leaves which may be compound

Showy flowersSmall family including trees and

shrubs

BIGNONIACEAE

This China Doll illustrates the compound leaves

BROMELIACEAE

EpiphyticStiff or succulent leaves in

rosettes, often spineyMay hold water in a cup-like

structureShowy bracts may persist

BROMELIACEAE

The bracts on this Silver Vase provide color for several months after the small flowers are gone.

“Plant Families”

Cactaceae to Cyperaceae

INTERIOR PLANTS

CACTACEAE

Showy flowersSpines, areoles, glochids, and

fleshy stems to conserve waterMany native to demanding

environments in the Americas120 genera and 3 subfamilies

CACTACEAE

Christmas Cactus illustrates the reduced leaves and stems.

COMMELINACEAE

Alternate, clasping leaves with purple and olive colors

Mucilaginous sap and flowers that may or may not be attractive

3-merous with knotty stems

COMMELINACEAE

Wandering Jew is an excellent example of the highly colored leaves of the family.

COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Classic ray and disk flowers forming a thistle head

Highly variable foliage Milky sap may be presentLargest plant family with over

950 genera and 20,000 species

COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

The purple pubescence on the Purple Passion Plant illustrates the variability of foliage.

CRASSULACEAE

Succulent, fleshy leaves with a waxy bloom

Insignificant flowersSimple, entire leavesConstant full sun for best growth

CRASSULACEAE

Panda Paws is an example of the succulent foliage of this family.

CYCADACEAE

Palm-like, pinnate leaves that are stiff and in rosettes

PrimativeHeat tolerantSlow growingAncient, dinosaur vintage

CYCADACEAE

The cone-like fruiting structure demon-strates how primative cycads are.

CYPERACEAE

Sedge-like plant with solid 3-angled culms

Parallel veinsWet areasFlowers are inconspicuous and

in terminal umbels

“Plant Families”

Euphorbiaceae to Gesneriaceae

INTERIOR PLANTS

EUPHORBIACEAE

Herbs, shrubs, and fleshy cactus-like succulents

Flowers are inconspicuous and may have colorful bracts

Milky juice Medicinal and ornamental uses

EUPHORBIACEAE

The bright color foliage of the Croton is very indicative of this family.

GENTIANACEAE

Temperate plants with variable leaves Flowers frequently blue and showy in

terminal or axilary clusters 70 genera and 800 species Fruit is a capsule

GENTIANACEAE

The Persian Violet is an excellent example of the blue flowers and attractive foliage of this family.

GESNERIACEAE

Terrestrial and epiphytic plants Leaves simple and often covered with

soft velvety hair Flowers are 5-merous and tubular to

bell-shaped Stems are watery Rhizomatous, tuberous or prostrate

GESNERIACEAE

African Violets display the velvety hair and watery stems of this family.