Rubiaceae
(Madder/Coffee Family)
Habit
- herbs (shrubs)
Leaves
- opposite, simple,
stipulate or appearing
whorled with
stipules as large as leaves
Inflorescence
-
cymose or
solitary
Flowers
-
regular
Sepals
- 4-5,
distinct or
connate
Petals
- 4-5,
connate
Stamens
- 4-5,
distinct,
adnate
Ovary
-
inferior, of 2
carpels,
axile placentation
Style
- 1,
simple
Fruit
- various, dry or fleshy
Diversity
- 450 genera / 6500 species
Distribution
- mostly tropical, herbs in sub-tropical regions
Economics
-
Alkaloids:
(Coffea), native to
Ethiopia, quinine
(Cinchona), native to South America; cultivated ornamentals (Gardenia)
Notes
-
Images
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