Monocots I.
Monocotyledons (Monocotyledonae, Monocots)
• Monophyletic group
• Comprise 22% of all angiosperms
• Relationships to other “basal” angiosperms unclear at present
Apomorphies of the Monocots
• Different stem vasculature
• Parallel leaf venation
• Single cotyledon
• NOTE: a trimerous flower merosity is not a Monocot apomorphy
Apomorphies of the Monocots• Atactostele stem vasculature
Apomorphies of the Monocots• Parallel leaf venation (penni-parallel in some)
Apomorphies of the Monocots• Single cotyledon
Liliaceae - Lily family
• Perennial
• Usually bulbous herbs, lacking an onion-like odor
• Basal or cauline leaves
• Inflorescence a raceme, umbel or of solitary flowers
• 16 genera / ca. 600 species
Liliaceae
Liliaceae – herbaceous perennials
Bulbs
Lillium
Tulipa
Loculicidal capsule – common fruit type in the Lilliaceae
Maianthemum – False Solomon’s Seal
Eremocrinum albomarginatum (Sand Lily)
Lilium philadelphicum (Wood Lily)
Orchidaceae - Orchid family
• Mycorrhizal, mostly perrennial, terrestrial or epiphytic herbs having trimerous flowers
• Showy labellum
• Androecium and gynoecium adnate
• Pollinia - pollen grains fused into a 1-several masses
• 700-800 genera / ca. 20,000 species
Caladenia longiclavata Australia
labellum
column
Cattleya sp.
Cymbidium sp.
Cypripedium sp. Lady’s Slipper
Dendrobium phalaenopsis
Dracula chimaera Dracula vampira
Encyclia sp. Cockleshell Orchid
Epidendrum sp.
Oncidium lanceanum
Pseudobulb
Stanhopea trigrinum
Thelymitra antennifera Australia
Vanilla planifolia Vanilla Orchid
Commelinid Monocots
Apomorphy: UV-fluorescent organic acids (including coumaric, diferulic, and ferulic acid) that impregnate the cell walls.
Arecaceae (Palmae) - Palm family
• Rhizomatous, lianous, or usually arborescent stem
• Large, sheathing, plicate leaves
• Fleshy, usually drupaceous fruit, and seeds lacking starch
• The plicate leaves is an apomorphy for the family.
• 190 genera / ca. 2,000 species.
Arecaceae – Palm Family
Fruit a drupe
Archontophoenix cunnighamiana King Palm
Syagrus romanzoffianum Queen Palm
Calamus Rattan Palm
Chamaerops humilis Mediterranean Palm
Licuala peltata
Nypa fruticans - a rhizomatous palm
Phoenix canariensis
Canary I. Palm
Phoenix dactylifera
Date Palm
Sabal urseana
Washingtonia filifera Desert Fan Palm
Washingtonia filifera Desert Fan Palm
Washingtonia robusta Zombia antillarum
Bromeliaceae - Bromeliad family
• Perrenial terrestrial or epiphytic herbs or shrubs with surface peltate scales,
• Colorful bracts
• Trimerous flowers with typically twisted stigmas.
• P 3+3 or (3)+(3) A 3+3 G 3, superior or inferior.
• 59 genera / 2,400 species
Peltate scales
Peltate scales fr. Pierce, 2006
Twisted Styles
Aechmea
Ananas comosus Pineapple
Dyckia dawsonii
Neoregalia
Tillandsia fasciculata
Tillandsia usneoides Spanish moss