1. The Asterid Clade
Very large group (not as many families as the Rosids, but most of the families are big)
Monophyly is supported by much chemical and molecular evidence.
Also many obvious morphological features:
Sympetalous coralla
No. of stamens ≤ No. of petals
Epipetalous stamens
Englerian order Sympetalae

2. Asterid groups
Two main sub-clades (Euasterids I and II) plus a few orders that stand alone, including:
Cornales
Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea)
Cornaceae (Cornus, Nyssa)
Ericales
Ericaceae (Vaccinium, Rhododendron, etc.)
Sarraceniaceae (Sarracenia)

3. Ericaceae – Heather family (130/2700)
Woody, often shrubs
Leaves simple, usually alternate
Flowers often urn-shaped, sometimes bell-or funnel-shaped
Anthers with appendages.

4. Ericaceae

5. Heather (Erica and Calluna)

6. Euasterids I Solanaceae Boraginaceae Rubiaceae Plantaginaceae
Scrophulariaceae
Lamiaceae

7. Solanaceae – Nightshade family (147/2930)
Alkaloids present (e.g. nicotine, atropine)
Connate petals, often funnel-shaped
Ovary superior
Fruit 2 carpellate: berry or capsule
Examples include tomato, potato, Capsicum peppers (red/green/chili/etc.), tobacco, deadly nightshade, petunia

8. Solanaceae

9. Solanaceae

10. Boraginaceae – Borage Family (134/2650)

11. Rubiaceae – Madder family 550/9000
Leaves opposite or whorled, stipulate
Petals 4 or 5, connate
Ovary inferior (or half-inferior)
Often contain alkaloids (caffeine, quinine)
Examples include Houstonia, Mitchella, Coffea (coffee), Cinchona (quinine), Gardenia, several other ornamentals

12. Rubiaceae

13. Plantaginaceae and Scrophulariaceae Families redefined in the 1990’s
Traditional classification:
Plantaginaceae 3/270
Scrophulariaceae 220/3000
A recent re-classification:
Plantaginaceae (Veronicaceae) 113/1800
Scrophulariaceae 24/1200

14. Plantaginaceae characters
Plantago species
Herbs with leaves in a basal rosette
Small flowers in a scapose spike
Former Scrophulariaceae
Herbs
Leaves opposite, alternate, or often mixed
Corolla connate, zygomorphic; lower lip often occluding the throat
Stamens 2 or 4 (sometimes a 5th, sterile one)
Fruit a 2-carpellate capsule

15. Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain)

16. Plantaginaceae

17. Scrophulariaceae – Verbascum thapsus

18. Lamiaceae / Labiatae – Mint Family (258/6970)
Mostly herbs; stems often square
Leaves opposite, often aromatic (terpenoids)
Corolla connate, usually zygomorphic
Stamens 2 or 4
Ovary 4-lobed with style attached in the “valley” between the lobes
Fruit schizocarpic – four 1-seeded nutlets
Mint, sage, thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, catnip

19. Lamiaceae flowers

20. Lamiaceae ovary and fruits

21. Euasterids II
Apiaceae
Asteraceae

22. Apiaceae / Umbelliferae Carrot or Parsley family (460/4250)
Alternate leaves, often divided or compound
Sheathing leaf bases (like buttercups)
Flowers usually small, 5 sepals/petals/stamens
Ovary inferior
Fruit a 2-parted schizocarp
Inflorescence usually a compound umbel, often with an involucre of bracts (sometimes simple umbels or heads)
Carrot, celery, parsley, coriander (cilantro), dill, anise, caraway, cumin; ginseng; poison hemlock

23. Apiaceae - leaves

24. Apiaceae – typical umbels

25. Apiaceae - flowers

26. Apiaceae – atypical species

27. Asteraceae / Compositae Sunflower family (1535/23,000)
Already covered in class
Review pp but don’t worry about subfamilies and tribes.