Lythraceae
Lythraceae
Lythraceae (pronounced /lɪˈθreɪsiː/), commonly known as the loosestrife family, is a family of flowering plants. The family includes 32 genera with about 620 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees.
Etymology
The name Lythraceae comes from the genus Lythrum, which was named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in his landmark publication, Species Plantarum. The name Lythrum itself is derived from the Greek words λυθρον (lythron), meaning "blood", referring to the color of the flowers in some species.
Description
Members of the Lythraceae family are found worldwide, but with a concentration in the tropics. They are characterized by simple, entire leaves. The flowers are typically brightly colored, with a radially symmetric corolla. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous seeds.
Genera
Some of the notable genera in the Lythraceae family include:
- Lythrum: The type genus of the family, known for species such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).
- Lagerstroemia: Known as crape myrtles, these are popular ornamental trees in warm climates.
- Punica: This genus includes the pomegranate (Punica granatum).
Related Terms
- Flowering plant: A plant that produces flowers; the reproductive structure found in plants that are floral (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also called angiosperms).
- Genus: A rank in the biological classification (taxonomy) that groups closely related species together.
- Species: The lowest and most specific rank in biological classification.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lythraceae
- Wikipedia's article - Lythraceae
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