Amaryllidaceae
(Daffodil Family)
-
Habit
- herbs with
bulbs and
contractile roots
Leaves
-
alternate,
basal, simple,
flat, usually with
sheathing
bases; no
stipules
Inflorescence
-
determinate, looks like an
umbel or reduced
to a solitary flower; subtended by
spathe
Flowers
- mostly
perfect,
regular;
subtended by
bracts;
hypanthium
in some
Sepals
- 3,
distinct or
connate,
petaloid (6
tepals)
Petals
- 3,
distinct or
connate; with
or without
corona (never
spotted)
Stamens
- mostly 6,
filaments
distinct or
connate and
sometimes forming a
corona
Carpels
- 3,
connate
throughout;
ovary
inferior
with 3
locules and
1-many
axile
ovules/
locule
Fruit
- a
loculicidal
capsule
Diversity
- 50 genera/870 spp.
Distribution
- cosmopolitan but more species rich tropical America and South Africa
Economics
- many ornamentals such as: daffodils, hyacinths, hostas, amaryllis
Notes
-
Images
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