Questions and Answers
How many subfamilies do Amaryllidaceae include?
What type of plant survival strategy do Amaryllidaceae plants use during unfavorable seasons?
Geophytes
Amaryllidaceae plants have mainly parallel-veined leaves.
True
Amaryllidaceae flowers have a ___ structure that aids insect pollination.
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What is found in the seed coats of Amaryllidaceae?
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What type of plants are most Amaryllidaceae?
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How are the leaves arranged in Amaryllidaceae?
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What is the characteristic of the leaves in Amaryllidaceae?
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Do Amaryllidaceae have stipules?
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What is the characteristic of the flower in Amaryllidaceae?
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How many perianth parts are found in Amaryllidaceae?
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What is the characteristic of the stamens in Amaryllidaceae?
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How many carpels are found in Amaryllidaceae?
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What is the characteristic of the fruit in Amaryllidaceae?
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What is the primary mode of pollination in Amaryllidaceae?
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Study Notes
Amaryllidaceae (Narzissengewächse)
- Systematics and Distribution: Amaryllidaceae are monocotyledonous angiosperms, part of the Asparagales order, and comprise around 60 genera and 900-1000 species.
- Distribution: Unlike Liliaceae (Lily family), which are only found in the Northern Hemisphere, Amaryllidaceae are found in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with a focus on warm-temperate to tropical zones.
Morphology
- Habit: Most species are perennial herbaceous plants with underground storage organs (geophytes) that help them survive unfavorable seasons.
- Bulb: The bulb is of the tunicate type, surrounded by a protective covering (tunica) made up of dead leaf bases (e.g., Galanthus, Leucojum, and Narcissus). Exceptions include Clivia, which has a rhizome instead of a bulb.
- Root System: The root system is composed of equal-sized roots, without a main axis (homorrhiz). Some species, like Clivia, have a velamen radicum, which can absorb a lot of water quickly.
- Leaf: Leaves are arranged alternately, have parallel veins, and are simple and entire.
- Flower and Inflorescence: Flowers are radiially symmetrical, with a perianth consisting of 6 tepals in two whorls of three. The inflorescence is a thyrse, with the flowers arranged in a cyme.
- Fruit: Most species have capsules that open dorsally, but some have berries (e.g., Clivia).
Inhabitants and Nutritive Values
- Inhabitants: Many species contain alkaloids, which are slightly toxic, and are thus avoided by animals.
- Nutritive Values: Some species have elaiosomes, which are protein- and fat-rich structures that attract animals, which then help to disperse the seeds.
Important Plant Species
- Ornamental Plants: include Hippeastrum (Ritterstern), Clivia (Klivie), Galanthus (Schneeglöckchen), Haemanthus (Blutblume), Leucojum (Märzenbecher), and Narcissus (Narzisse).
- Useful Plants: Some species are used as medicine, while others are used as food.
Further Reading
- Several books and articles are recommended for further reading, including works by Cole et al. (2019), Dörken and Steinecke (2022), and many others.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Amaryllidaceae, a family of monocotyledonous angiosperms, including their systematics, distribution, and morphology.
