PLANT TAXONOMY 2E By SHARMA (2011)- Details Taxonomy of Angiosperms By A. V. S. S. Sambamurty (2005)- Details. ROSACEAE WEEK: FAMILY OF THE WEEK: ROSACEAE
There are over 25 genera and around 215 species in India mainly confined to temperate Himalayas ascending up to 6000 meters. Vegetative characters: The plants are herbs, shrubs or trees several species of Rose and Rubus have prickles. Sometimes, as in Prinsepiaand Crataegusthe shrubs are armed with sharp spines which are modified branches. Vegetative reproduction takes place in several ways. The leaves are alternate and simple, pinnately or palmately compound. The stipules are usually present. Inflorescence and flowers: The flowers are rarely solitary or fascicled, but commonly they are arranged in various types of definite or indefinite inflorescences. The flowers are actinomorphic or sometimes strongly zygomorphic, bisexual or unisexual,polygamous, pentamerous, hypogynous, peri or epigynous. The calyx is of typically five basally connate sepals; the calyx tube is free or adnate to the ovary. The aestivation is imbricate or valvate. In some genera an epicalyx is also present. The corolla is of generally five free petals (there are numerous petals in cultivated species of Rosa) which are usually imbricate in bud. The number of stamens is variable from one to many. They are often in whorls. The filaments are distinct or sometimes monoadelphous. The anthers are dithecous and introrse. A cushion shaped or ringlike nectar secreting disc is present between the stamens and carpel. The gynoecium shows much variation. There are ten different tribes of gynoecial characters and type of fruits. Seeds: The seeds are usually without endosperm. Pollination and dispersal: In most Rosaceae the nectar is collected in the receptacular tube and easily licked by insects. The flowers are mostly protogynous and favour cross pollination. The seeds are dispersed by animals and birds. Examples: Rosa multiflora (Rose) Rosa damascene Rosa indica Rosa banksiae Rosa centifolia Pyrus mallus (Apple) Pyrus communis (Pear) Prunus persica (Peach) Prunus domestica Prunus institia (Plum) Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) Prunus amygdalous (Almond) Fragaria chiloensis (Garden Strawberry) Fragaria vesca L. (Alpine strawberry) Spiraea potentilla Brambles Cinquefoil ROSACEAE Family Rosaceae has comparatively less representation in Maharashtra. BSI Flora of Maharashtra mentions only 5 species which are native to Maharashtra while there are many cultivated species which are seen growing though. The key for Maharashtra is as follows. Annual herbs : Potentilla (Only one species found: Potentila supine) Trees or shrubs : 2. Plants: unarmed trees; carpel 1- Prunus (Only 1 species found: Prunus ceylanica) 2. Plants: prickly shrubs; carpels many- Rubus. Rubus 1. Leaves simple … R. molluccanus (Black berry) 1. Leaves 3-9 foliolate : 2. Leaves 3-foliolate : .. R.ellipticus 2. Leaves 5-9 foliolate .. R.niveus (‘Gauriphal’, ’Mahabaleshwar Raspberry’) Flowers of Himalaya (Polunin, Stainton) mentions many Rosaceae plants and the key regarding the identification is as follows: Trees and shrubs above 1 m a) leaves compound, with 3 or more leaflets i) Carpels free 1. Rubus 2. Sorbaria 3. Potentila ii) Carpels enclosed in a fleshy receptacle 1. Rosa 2. Sorbus b( Leaves entire toothed or lobed i) Carpel 1- 1. Prunus 2. Prinsepia 3. Neillia ii) Carpels several free- 1.Rubus 2. Neillia 3. Spirea iii) Carpels encirciled in a fleshy receptacle in fruit - 1. Crotoneaster 2. Crateagus 3. Pyracanthia 4. Photinia 5. Stranvaesia 6. Malus 7. Pyrus 8. Sorbus Herbaceous perennials or small undershrubs a) Epicalyx present 1. Alchemilila. 2. Fragaria 3. Geum 4. Potentilla 5. Sibbaldia b)Epicalyx absent 1. Rubus 2. Agrimonia 3. Aruncus 4. Filipendula 5. Spiraea 6 Cotoneaster |
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