Rosaceae s.l.
(Rose Family)
Habit
- see below, under subfamily
Leaves
-
alternate,
simple to
pinnate or
palmately compound,
stipulate
Flowers
-
perfect,
regular
Hypantheum
- present
Sepals
- usually 5,
connate; petals usually 5,
distinct
Stamens
- 10-many; when numerous developing
centripetally.
Ovary
- 1-many
carpels,
free or
fused
Diversity
- 100 genera and 2000 species in 4 subfamilies (see below)
Distribution
- cosmopolitan, especially temperate
Rosaceae Subfamilies
Rosoideae
Habit
- herbs or shrubs
Ovary
- many
carpels,
free,
ovary superior,
placentation various
Fruit
- an
aggregate of
achenes, or fleshy
hypanthium "hip" or fleshy
receptacle
(as in strawberry), or an
aggregate of little
drupes (as in blackberry).
Economics
- many cultivated ornamentals
(eg.
roses) and edible fruits such as
Fragaria (strawberry), and Rubus (blackberry, raspberry, etc…)
(see also: More rose varieties!)
Spiraeoideae
Habit
- woody plants, shrubs or trees
Ovary
- 1-5
carpels,
free,
ovary superior, usually with many
ovules.
Fruit
- an
aggregate of follicles, or rarely a
capsule.
Economics
- some cultivated ornamentals -- Spiraea.
Amygdaloideae (or Prunoideae)
Habit
- woody plants, shrubs or trees
Ovary
- of 1
carpel
(monocarpus);
ovary superior usually with 1 (or 2)
ovule
Fruit
- a
drupe
Economics
- important fruit crops - Prunus (apricot; peach; plum).
Maloideae
Habit
- woody plants mostly trees
Ovary
- usu. 5
carpels
connate;
ovary inferior with
adnate fleshy
hypanthium.
Fruit
- specialized
berry called a
pome; the edible
portion is the mature fleshy
hypanthium...
Economics
- important fruit crops - Malus (apple); Pyrus (pear); ....
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