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Amaranthaceae - Amaranth family(includes Chenopodiaceae)
Key featuresIn Montana: 17 genera, <50 species (most in Chenopodium)
Habit: mostly herbs, some shrubs
Often in disturbed areas, poor soils (e.g. Atriplex)
Atriplex (Saltbush)Chenopodiumsalt glands
Habit: herbs, very branchy
Stems: ridged, angular
Leaves: alternate, simple
Agrostemma
Chenopodium - Goosefoot, Lamb’s Quarters
leaf shape variableoften w/white undersides
C. album
FlowersMostly bisexual; radial; reduced
Arranged in dense, “mealy” spikes
Sepals: 5
Petals: 0 or 5
Stamens: 2-5
Pistil: 1 superior ovary, 2-3 stylesAgrostemma
Chenopodium - Goosefoot
PolygonalesNepenthaceae -
tropical pitcher plantsDroseraceae -
sundews and venus flytraps
Drosera - 2 species in Montana
Carnivorous plants -- get nutrients from trapped insects as well as soil
Polygonaceae - Buckwheat family
In Montana: 12th largest -- 5 genera, ~55 species
Habit: mostly herbs, some shrubs
Leaves: simple; alternate or basal
Eriogonum Rumex
Polygonaceae - Buckwheat family
Inflorescences: variable
Flowers: regular, often bisexual
Tepals: 3 - 6 (look like sepals)
Stamens: 3 - 9
Gynoecium:1 pistil, 1-3 stylessuperior ovary
Polygonum - Knotweeds
~20 species in Montana
several non-native/invasive
- tiny flowers - sheathing stipules at nodes
Eriogonum - Buckwheats E. flavum ~20 species in Montana
>50 species in Rockies!
Habit: perennial herbs
- often mat-like or creeping
- taproot/woody root crown
Leaves: basal, simple, entire
- often hairy/fuzzy- no ocreas
Eriogonum
Flowers:regular, bisexual
Tepals: 6, connate or distinct
Stamens: 9
Gynoecium:1 pistil, 3 styles
Color: very variable, even within species (white, pink, yellow)
Fruit: 3-angled achene
Lifespan and timing of reproduction
Ideal plant strategy: 1) live forever2) make lots of seeds every year
Why not?
Lifespan and timing of reproduction
Ideal plant strategy: 1) live forever2) make lots of seeds every year
Why not?Limited resources (light, nutrients, water etc.)
tradeoff between survival/growth and reproduction (usually...)
Lifespan and timing of reproduction
Life history strategieshigh adult mortality --> reproduce now!
ex. weeds, vernal pool plants
high seedling mortality --> just survive!
ex. trees, grassland forbs
Lifespan and timing of reproduction: herbs(woody trees and shrubs are all perennial by definition)
Annual 1st year: flowers, dies
Biennial 1st year: makes rosette 2nd year: flowers, dies
Perennial Lives for multiple years May or may not flower in
any year
Mimulus douglasii Oenothera biennis Balsamorhiza and Lupinus
Lifespan and timing of reproduction
iteroparity - reproduce repeatedly
semelparity- reproduce once, then die
etc.
Roots (and other below-ground structures) anchoring water and nutrient absorption water and carbohydrate storage
Taproot Fibrousroots
Adventitiousroots
Modified stemsrhizome = horizontal, rootlike stem
stem
roots
rhizome
shootbuds
tuber(extra-starchy rhizome)