Major Families

Higher Taxa

?? algae – primitive cellular marine plants, incl seaweeds

mosses -- non-vascular plants (no internal tubing)

ferns, horsetail -- vascular, reproduction by spores (no seeds) [horsetail]

gymnosperms -- pines, ginkgo, ephedra -- cones, seeds not in ovary [ginkgo]

angiosperms -- flowering plants

monocotyledons -- 1 seed leaf, parallel veins, 3's, simpler stem, horizontal roots [lily]

dicotyledons -- 2 seed leaves, netted veins, 4's or 5's, branching stem, tap root [ peanuts ]

Major Families

Lily [ tulip, ... ] liliaceae

• monocot, parallel ; 3 sepals, 3 petals, identical (6 tepals), regular ; 6 stamens, 3 lobed stigma
• bulbs
• onion, garlic, chive, tulips, crocus, yucca, agave, aloe, asparagus, death camus
• (Iris family: irregular, 3 stamens, flattish plants)

Mustard [ purple weed, backyard flower, shepherds purse ] cruciferae, brassicaceae

• 4 sepals, 4 petals, cross-shaped flower; 6 stamens, 4 tall, 2 short
• fragrant leaves, raceme, pods
• radish, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, shepherds purse

Mint [nursery, lemon balm, thyme ] labiatae, lamiaceae

• (usually) square stem, opposite leaves, aromatic
• small two-lipped flowers in axils or terminal, 5 united sepals
• 4 stamens, 2 long, 2 short
• mint, thyme, oregano, basil, sage (not brush), horehound, catnip, lavender,
• (nettle family: catkin-like clusters from axils, no petals, unisexual)

Parsley [umbel, leaves] Umbelliferae, apiaceae

• compound umbels, hollow stems, often dissected leaves with sheathing petioles, taproots
• small 5-merous flowers, ovary inferior, dry seeds often with ridges
• carrot, celery, parsnip, dill, anise, celery, cilantro, cumin, poison hemlock

Pea [ vetch, ] leguminosae, fabiaceae

• papilionaceous flowers -- banner (large 2 lobed), 2 wings, keel (2 fused petals)
• pods, 10 stamens often 9 united and 1 separate
• pinnately compound leaves
• acacia, mesquite, licorice, clover, alfalfa, peanut, beans, vetch

Composite [dandelion, ?nursery daisy? ] Compositae , asteraceae

• composite flowers, disk, ray
• involucral bracts, pappus from sepals
• sunflower, daisy, dandelion, lettuce, thistle, artichoke, ragweed, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, weeds

Rose [ fruit flower, ] rosaceae

• 5 sepals, 5 petals, (never united) numerous separate stamens
• alternate leaves, with stipules, ovary inferior OR stamens on cup-shaped hypanthium
• apple, pear; plum, cherry, almond; strawberry, raspberry; apache plume, mountain mahogany
• Several similar families
  • (ranunculaceae: always separate pistils, no hypanthium, not stipules)
  • (saxifrage: few stamens, no stipules, unually united carpels)
  • (stonecrop: fleshy, few stamens)
  • (malvaceae: stamens united)
  • (caryophyllaceae: opposite leaves)
  • (geraniaceae: 5 fused carpels, with 5 distinct styles, enlongating to a long pod, 5-10 stamens united at base, petal with colored veins)