SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 20
Vimal priya
subramanian
2nd msc botany
18mbo027
PSGR.KRISHNAMMAL
Taxonomy
Nyctaginaceae
Characters of Nyctaginaceae:
Flowers open in late afternoon;
flowers mostly actinomorphic,
usually subtended by an involucre
of separate or united brightly
coloured bracts or sepaloid bracts
that are often mistaken for sepals;
petaloid perianth, tepals 5;
stamens 1- ∝; carpel one.
COMMON PLANTS OF THE
FAMILY
 Common plants of the family:
 1. Mirabilis jalapa – Four O’clock plant H. Gul-e-
bas – ornamental plant.
 2. Boerhaavia diffusa – Common weed after rainy
season, medicinal.
 3. Bougainvillea glabra, B. spectabilis ornamental
with magneta bract.
 4. Oxybaphus – Greek oxybaphus – a saucer.
 5. Pisonia aculeata – a large climber, armed with
recurved axillary spines.
Vegetative characters
Habit:
 Herb, shrub or scandent or trees.
Root:
 Tap root, branched.
Stem:
 Herbaceous or woody, erect or even climbing e.g.
Bougainvillea.
Leaf:
 Alternate or opposite, simple, those of each pair being
often very unequal, exstipulate.
Pisonia alba
B. Floral characters
Inflorescence:
 Cymose, biparous with a tendency to monochasial development in
the higher branches.
Flower:
Perfect or diclinous as in Pisonia by suppression of stamens or
pistil, hypogynous, actinomorphic, rarely zygomorphic in
Anisomeris usually subtended by an involucre of 3 to 5 separate or
united brightly coloured bracts that are often mistaken for sepals.
 In Mirabilis, each flower is surrounded at the base by an involucre of
five sepal-like bracts; in Bougainvillea, there are three involucral
bracts each subtending a flower, in Boerhaavia and others, the
involucral leaves are reduced to teeth or scales.
Pisonia flower
Mirabilis jalapa
perianth
 Tepals 4-5, gamophyllous, tubular with wide spreading
lobes, often petaloid (infundibuliform) imbricate or
twisted, contorted, connate in a funnel shaped or
tubular perigone, the base of which persists and
enclosing the fruit forming the so called anthrocarp.
Boerhavia difusa
A-Habit
B-flower
C-Anthrocarp
 Androecium:
 Stamens variable 2 to 20, free, usually 5 to 8
or equal to number of petals but there may be
fewer or more; filaments of unequal lengths.
 Gynoecium:
 One carpel, superior, unilocular with a single
basal ovule; style long, simple.
 Fruit:
 Dry, one-seeded anthocarp (achene surrounded by
persistent perianth lobes) indehiscent.
 Seed:
 Small, non-endospermic.
 Pollination:
 Entomophilous.
Mirabilis jalapa
Herbarium of Boerhavia diffusa
Herbarium of Bougainvillea
glabra
Economic Importance of
Nyctaginaceae
 1. Medicinal:
 Boerhaavia diffusa’s root is laxative and also used in
asthma, anemia, jaundice. It is an antidote to snake
venom, B. repens is diuretic. The roots of Mirabilis jalapa
are purgative. The leaves lessen inflammation and are
applied to boils.
 2. Ornamental:
 Mirabilis jalapa, Bougainvillea, Abronia. Pisonia aculeata
is a hedge plant.
Affinities of nyctanginaceae
 The family is closely allied to Polygonaceae.
Bentham and Hooker placed it together with
Amaranthaceae, Chenopodiaceae.
Nyctaginaceae can be distinguished from
Polygonaceae by the nature of its fruit enclosed
in the persistent base of the perianth.
Thanking you

More Related Content

What's hot (20)

1.magnoliaceae
1.magnoliaceae1.magnoliaceae
1.magnoliaceae
 
Rosaceae family-Plant Taxonomy
Rosaceae family-Plant TaxonomyRosaceae family-Plant Taxonomy
Rosaceae family-Plant Taxonomy
 
Rubiaceae
RubiaceaeRubiaceae
Rubiaceae
 
Liliaceae
LiliaceaeLiliaceae
Liliaceae
 
characteristics of the family Orchidaceae ppt
characteristics of the family Orchidaceae pptcharacteristics of the family Orchidaceae ppt
characteristics of the family Orchidaceae ppt
 
Poaceae
PoaceaePoaceae
Poaceae
 
Asteraceae
Asteraceae  Asteraceae
Asteraceae
 
Annonaceae
AnnonaceaeAnnonaceae
Annonaceae
 
Apocynaceae
ApocynaceaeApocynaceae
Apocynaceae
 
Characters of acanthaceae
Characters of acanthaceaeCharacters of acanthaceae
Characters of acanthaceae
 
Rubiaceae
RubiaceaeRubiaceae
Rubiaceae
 
family orchidaceae ppt
family orchidaceae pptfamily orchidaceae ppt
family orchidaceae ppt
 
ppt on Family poaceae
ppt on Family poaceaeppt on Family poaceae
ppt on Family poaceae
 
Family Magnoliaceae
Family MagnoliaceaeFamily Magnoliaceae
Family Magnoliaceae
 
Family Brassicaceae
Family BrassicaceaeFamily Brassicaceae
Family Brassicaceae
 
Poaceae
PoaceaePoaceae
Poaceae
 
Family mimosaceae.pptx
Family mimosaceae.pptxFamily mimosaceae.pptx
Family mimosaceae.pptx
 
Capparidaceae.pptx
Capparidaceae.pptxCapparidaceae.pptx
Capparidaceae.pptx
 
Euphorbiaceae
EuphorbiaceaeEuphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
 
poaceae
poaceaepoaceae
poaceae
 

Similar to TAXONOMY- characters of Nyctaginaceae

FAMILY PAPAVERACEAE & NYCTAGINACEAE
FAMILY PAPAVERACEAE & NYCTAGINACEAEFAMILY PAPAVERACEAE & NYCTAGINACEAE
FAMILY PAPAVERACEAE & NYCTAGINACEAENeeruSaharan
 
family_leguminosae_ppt.pptx
family_leguminosae_ppt.pptxfamily_leguminosae_ppt.pptx
family_leguminosae_ppt.pptxShivamYadav65854
 
Rubiaceae famil yppt yvani
Rubiaceae famil yppt yvaniRubiaceae famil yppt yvani
Rubiaceae famil yppt yvaniKatta Vani
 
Sim plant
Sim plantSim plant
Sim plantDAV
 
10 DOH Approved Herbal Plants in the Philippines
10 DOH Approved Herbal Plants in the Philippines10 DOH Approved Herbal Plants in the Philippines
10 DOH Approved Herbal Plants in the PhilippinesEmsi Onairpic
 
Gramineae (poaceae).it is the one of the largest plant family
Gramineae (poaceae).it is the one of the largest plant familyGramineae (poaceae).it is the one of the largest plant family
Gramineae (poaceae).it is the one of the largest plant familyAnand P P
 
Medicinal plant systematics ii
Medicinal plant systematics iiMedicinal plant systematics ii
Medicinal plant systematics iiDr.S Manikandan
 
umbelliferae
umbelliferae umbelliferae
umbelliferae Ra Bia
 
Anacardiaceae and Gramineae
Anacardiaceae and GramineaeAnacardiaceae and Gramineae
Anacardiaceae and GramineaeAASHNA CHOPRA
 
Study of diff families if angiosperms
Study of diff families if angiospermsStudy of diff families if angiosperms
Study of diff families if angiospermsParshant Mishra
 

Similar to TAXONOMY- characters of Nyctaginaceae (20)

Family cannabiaceae
Family  cannabiaceaeFamily  cannabiaceae
Family cannabiaceae
 
FAMILY PAPAVERACEAE & NYCTAGINACEAE
FAMILY PAPAVERACEAE & NYCTAGINACEAEFAMILY PAPAVERACEAE & NYCTAGINACEAE
FAMILY PAPAVERACEAE & NYCTAGINACEAE
 
family_leguminosae_ppt.pptx
family_leguminosae_ppt.pptxfamily_leguminosae_ppt.pptx
family_leguminosae_ppt.pptx
 
Rubiaceae famil yppt yvani
Rubiaceae famil yppt yvaniRubiaceae famil yppt yvani
Rubiaceae famil yppt yvani
 
ROSACEAE.pptx
ROSACEAE.pptxROSACEAE.pptx
ROSACEAE.pptx
 
Sim plant
Sim plantSim plant
Sim plant
 
10 DOH Approved Herbal Plants in the Philippines
10 DOH Approved Herbal Plants in the Philippines10 DOH Approved Herbal Plants in the Philippines
10 DOH Approved Herbal Plants in the Philippines
 
Caesalpinioideae
CaesalpinioideaeCaesalpinioideae
Caesalpinioideae
 
family liliaceae
family liliaceaefamily liliaceae
family liliaceae
 
Gramineae (poaceae).it is the one of the largest plant family
Gramineae (poaceae).it is the one of the largest plant familyGramineae (poaceae).it is the one of the largest plant family
Gramineae (poaceae).it is the one of the largest plant family
 
Euphorbiaceae
EuphorbiaceaeEuphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
 
Herbarium final pdf
Herbarium final pdfHerbarium final pdf
Herbarium final pdf
 
Medicinal plant systematics ii
Medicinal plant systematics iiMedicinal plant systematics ii
Medicinal plant systematics ii
 
umbelliferae
umbelliferae umbelliferae
umbelliferae
 
Solanaceae family
Solanaceae familySolanaceae family
Solanaceae family
 
Anacardiaceae and Gramineae
Anacardiaceae and GramineaeAnacardiaceae and Gramineae
Anacardiaceae and Gramineae
 
FAMILY APIACEAE
FAMILY APIACEAEFAMILY APIACEAE
FAMILY APIACEAE
 
Apiaceae
ApiaceaeApiaceae
Apiaceae
 
Ameranthaceae
AmeranthaceaeAmeranthaceae
Ameranthaceae
 
Study of diff families if angiosperms
Study of diff families if angiospermsStudy of diff families if angiosperms
Study of diff families if angiosperms
 

More from Vimal Priya subramanian

More from Vimal Priya subramanian (20)

BENTHAM and Hooker classification.ppt
BENTHAM and Hooker classification.pptBENTHAM and Hooker classification.ppt
BENTHAM and Hooker classification.ppt
 
Angiosperm Phylogeny Group.pptx
Angiosperm Phylogeny Group.pptxAngiosperm Phylogeny Group.pptx
Angiosperm Phylogeny Group.pptx
 
Research aproaches.pptx
Research aproaches.pptxResearch aproaches.pptx
Research aproaches.pptx
 
Forest Rights Act 2006.ppt
Forest Rights Act 2006.pptForest Rights Act 2006.ppt
Forest Rights Act 2006.ppt
 
chloroplast inheritance.ppt
chloroplast inheritance.pptchloroplast inheritance.ppt
chloroplast inheritance.ppt
 
nitrogen metabolism(1).vimalsubbu.pptx
nitrogen metabolism(1).vimalsubbu.pptxnitrogen metabolism(1).vimalsubbu.pptx
nitrogen metabolism(1).vimalsubbu.pptx
 
ginkoales.pptx
ginkoales.pptxginkoales.pptx
ginkoales.pptx
 
vimal subbu.pptx
vimal subbu.pptxvimal subbu.pptx
vimal subbu.pptx
 
smith - waterman algorithm.pptx
smith - waterman algorithm.pptxsmith - waterman algorithm.pptx
smith - waterman algorithm.pptx
 
Mushroom cultivation.pptx
Mushroom cultivation.pptxMushroom cultivation.pptx
Mushroom cultivation.pptx
 
GIS VIMAL SUBBU.17.08.2022.pptx
GIS VIMAL SUBBU.17.08.2022.pptxGIS VIMAL SUBBU.17.08.2022.pptx
GIS VIMAL SUBBU.17.08.2022.pptx
 
Exotics
ExoticsExotics
Exotics
 
man made forests-Vims.pptx
man made forests-Vims.pptxman made forests-Vims.pptx
man made forests-Vims.pptx
 
Two-component regulatory system.pptx
Two-component regulatory system.pptxTwo-component regulatory system.pptx
Two-component regulatory system.pptx
 
GOLGI BODIES.pptx
GOLGI BODIES.pptxGOLGI BODIES.pptx
GOLGI BODIES.pptx
 
Cell adhesion.pptx
Cell adhesion.pptxCell adhesion.pptx
Cell adhesion.pptx
 
phylogenetic analysis.pptx
phylogenetic analysis.pptxphylogenetic analysis.pptx
phylogenetic analysis.pptx
 
intellectual property right.pptx
intellectual property right.pptxintellectual property right.pptx
intellectual property right.pptx
 
Functional annotation.pptx
Functional annotation.pptxFunctional annotation.pptx
Functional annotation.pptx
 
Gene pyramiding
Gene pyramidingGene pyramiding
Gene pyramiding
 

Recently uploaded

Difference Between Search & Browse Methods in Odoo 17
Difference Between Search & Browse Methods in Odoo 17Difference Between Search & Browse Methods in Odoo 17
Difference Between Search & Browse Methods in Odoo 17Celine George
 
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions  for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptxOrganic Name Reactions  for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptxVS Mahajan Coaching Centre
 
18-04-UA_REPORT_MEDIALITERAСY_INDEX-DM_23-1-final-eng.pdf
18-04-UA_REPORT_MEDIALITERAСY_INDEX-DM_23-1-final-eng.pdf18-04-UA_REPORT_MEDIALITERAСY_INDEX-DM_23-1-final-eng.pdf
18-04-UA_REPORT_MEDIALITERAСY_INDEX-DM_23-1-final-eng.pdfssuser54595a
 
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher EducationIntroduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Educationpboyjonauth
 
Gas measurement O2,Co2,& ph) 04/2024.pptx
Gas measurement O2,Co2,& ph) 04/2024.pptxGas measurement O2,Co2,& ph) 04/2024.pptx
Gas measurement O2,Co2,& ph) 04/2024.pptxDr.Ibrahim Hassaan
 
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha elections
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha electionsPresiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha elections
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha electionsanshu789521
 
ECONOMIC CONTEXT - LONG FORM TV DRAMA - PPT
ECONOMIC CONTEXT - LONG FORM TV DRAMA - PPTECONOMIC CONTEXT - LONG FORM TV DRAMA - PPT
ECONOMIC CONTEXT - LONG FORM TV DRAMA - PPTiammrhaywood
 
Enzyme, Pharmaceutical Aids, Miscellaneous Last Part of Chapter no 5th.pdf
Enzyme, Pharmaceutical Aids, Miscellaneous Last Part of Chapter no 5th.pdfEnzyme, Pharmaceutical Aids, Miscellaneous Last Part of Chapter no 5th.pdf
Enzyme, Pharmaceutical Aids, Miscellaneous Last Part of Chapter no 5th.pdfSumit Tiwari
 
Crayon Activity Handout For the Crayon A
Crayon Activity Handout For the Crayon ACrayon Activity Handout For the Crayon A
Crayon Activity Handout For the Crayon AUnboundStockton
 
Pharmacognosy Flower 3. Compositae 2023.pdf
Pharmacognosy Flower 3. Compositae 2023.pdfPharmacognosy Flower 3. Compositae 2023.pdf
Pharmacognosy Flower 3. Compositae 2023.pdfMahmoud M. Sallam
 
Proudly South Africa powerpoint Thorisha.pptx
Proudly South Africa powerpoint Thorisha.pptxProudly South Africa powerpoint Thorisha.pptx
Proudly South Africa powerpoint Thorisha.pptxthorishapillay1
 
Types of Journalistic Writing Grade 8.pptx
Types of Journalistic Writing Grade 8.pptxTypes of Journalistic Writing Grade 8.pptx
Types of Journalistic Writing Grade 8.pptxEyham Joco
 
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️9953056974 Low Rate Call Girls In Saket, Delhi NCR
 
Full Stack Web Development Course for Beginners
Full Stack Web Development Course  for BeginnersFull Stack Web Development Course  for Beginners
Full Stack Web Development Course for BeginnersSabitha Banu
 
DATA STRUCTURE AND ALGORITHM for beginners
DATA STRUCTURE AND ALGORITHM for beginnersDATA STRUCTURE AND ALGORITHM for beginners
DATA STRUCTURE AND ALGORITHM for beginnersSabitha Banu
 
Computed Fields and api Depends in the Odoo 17
Computed Fields and api Depends in the Odoo 17Computed Fields and api Depends in the Odoo 17
Computed Fields and api Depends in the Odoo 17Celine George
 
CELL CYCLE Division Science 8 quarter IV.pptx
CELL CYCLE Division Science 8 quarter IV.pptxCELL CYCLE Division Science 8 quarter IV.pptx
CELL CYCLE Division Science 8 quarter IV.pptxJiesonDelaCerna
 
Earth Day Presentation wow hello nice great
Earth Day Presentation wow hello nice greatEarth Day Presentation wow hello nice great
Earth Day Presentation wow hello nice greatYousafMalik24
 
Blooming Together_ Growing a Community Garden Worksheet.docx
Blooming Together_ Growing a Community Garden Worksheet.docxBlooming Together_ Growing a Community Garden Worksheet.docx
Blooming Together_ Growing a Community Garden Worksheet.docxUnboundStockton
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Difference Between Search & Browse Methods in Odoo 17
Difference Between Search & Browse Methods in Odoo 17Difference Between Search & Browse Methods in Odoo 17
Difference Between Search & Browse Methods in Odoo 17
 
Model Call Girl in Bikash Puri Delhi reach out to us at 🔝9953056974🔝
Model Call Girl in Bikash Puri  Delhi reach out to us at 🔝9953056974🔝Model Call Girl in Bikash Puri  Delhi reach out to us at 🔝9953056974🔝
Model Call Girl in Bikash Puri Delhi reach out to us at 🔝9953056974🔝
 
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions  for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptxOrganic Name Reactions  for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
 
18-04-UA_REPORT_MEDIALITERAСY_INDEX-DM_23-1-final-eng.pdf
18-04-UA_REPORT_MEDIALITERAСY_INDEX-DM_23-1-final-eng.pdf18-04-UA_REPORT_MEDIALITERAСY_INDEX-DM_23-1-final-eng.pdf
18-04-UA_REPORT_MEDIALITERAСY_INDEX-DM_23-1-final-eng.pdf
 
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher EducationIntroduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
 
Gas measurement O2,Co2,& ph) 04/2024.pptx
Gas measurement O2,Co2,& ph) 04/2024.pptxGas measurement O2,Co2,& ph) 04/2024.pptx
Gas measurement O2,Co2,& ph) 04/2024.pptx
 
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha elections
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha electionsPresiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha elections
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha elections
 
ECONOMIC CONTEXT - LONG FORM TV DRAMA - PPT
ECONOMIC CONTEXT - LONG FORM TV DRAMA - PPTECONOMIC CONTEXT - LONG FORM TV DRAMA - PPT
ECONOMIC CONTEXT - LONG FORM TV DRAMA - PPT
 
Enzyme, Pharmaceutical Aids, Miscellaneous Last Part of Chapter no 5th.pdf
Enzyme, Pharmaceutical Aids, Miscellaneous Last Part of Chapter no 5th.pdfEnzyme, Pharmaceutical Aids, Miscellaneous Last Part of Chapter no 5th.pdf
Enzyme, Pharmaceutical Aids, Miscellaneous Last Part of Chapter no 5th.pdf
 
Crayon Activity Handout For the Crayon A
Crayon Activity Handout For the Crayon ACrayon Activity Handout For the Crayon A
Crayon Activity Handout For the Crayon A
 
Pharmacognosy Flower 3. Compositae 2023.pdf
Pharmacognosy Flower 3. Compositae 2023.pdfPharmacognosy Flower 3. Compositae 2023.pdf
Pharmacognosy Flower 3. Compositae 2023.pdf
 
Proudly South Africa powerpoint Thorisha.pptx
Proudly South Africa powerpoint Thorisha.pptxProudly South Africa powerpoint Thorisha.pptx
Proudly South Africa powerpoint Thorisha.pptx
 
Types of Journalistic Writing Grade 8.pptx
Types of Journalistic Writing Grade 8.pptxTypes of Journalistic Writing Grade 8.pptx
Types of Journalistic Writing Grade 8.pptx
 
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️
 
Full Stack Web Development Course for Beginners
Full Stack Web Development Course  for BeginnersFull Stack Web Development Course  for Beginners
Full Stack Web Development Course for Beginners
 
DATA STRUCTURE AND ALGORITHM for beginners
DATA STRUCTURE AND ALGORITHM for beginnersDATA STRUCTURE AND ALGORITHM for beginners
DATA STRUCTURE AND ALGORITHM for beginners
 
Computed Fields and api Depends in the Odoo 17
Computed Fields and api Depends in the Odoo 17Computed Fields and api Depends in the Odoo 17
Computed Fields and api Depends in the Odoo 17
 
CELL CYCLE Division Science 8 quarter IV.pptx
CELL CYCLE Division Science 8 quarter IV.pptxCELL CYCLE Division Science 8 quarter IV.pptx
CELL CYCLE Division Science 8 quarter IV.pptx
 
Earth Day Presentation wow hello nice great
Earth Day Presentation wow hello nice greatEarth Day Presentation wow hello nice great
Earth Day Presentation wow hello nice great
 
Blooming Together_ Growing a Community Garden Worksheet.docx
Blooming Together_ Growing a Community Garden Worksheet.docxBlooming Together_ Growing a Community Garden Worksheet.docx
Blooming Together_ Growing a Community Garden Worksheet.docx
 

TAXONOMY- characters of Nyctaginaceae

  • 1. Vimal priya subramanian 2nd msc botany 18mbo027 PSGR.KRISHNAMMAL Taxonomy Nyctaginaceae
  • 2. Characters of Nyctaginaceae: Flowers open in late afternoon; flowers mostly actinomorphic, usually subtended by an involucre of separate or united brightly coloured bracts or sepaloid bracts that are often mistaken for sepals; petaloid perianth, tepals 5; stamens 1- ∝; carpel one.
  • 3.
  • 4. COMMON PLANTS OF THE FAMILY  Common plants of the family:  1. Mirabilis jalapa – Four O’clock plant H. Gul-e- bas – ornamental plant.  2. Boerhaavia diffusa – Common weed after rainy season, medicinal.  3. Bougainvillea glabra, B. spectabilis ornamental with magneta bract.  4. Oxybaphus – Greek oxybaphus – a saucer.  5. Pisonia aculeata – a large climber, armed with recurved axillary spines.
  • 5. Vegetative characters Habit:  Herb, shrub or scandent or trees. Root:  Tap root, branched. Stem:  Herbaceous or woody, erect or even climbing e.g. Bougainvillea. Leaf:  Alternate or opposite, simple, those of each pair being often very unequal, exstipulate.
  • 7. B. Floral characters Inflorescence:  Cymose, biparous with a tendency to monochasial development in the higher branches. Flower: Perfect or diclinous as in Pisonia by suppression of stamens or pistil, hypogynous, actinomorphic, rarely zygomorphic in Anisomeris usually subtended by an involucre of 3 to 5 separate or united brightly coloured bracts that are often mistaken for sepals.  In Mirabilis, each flower is surrounded at the base by an involucre of five sepal-like bracts; in Bougainvillea, there are three involucral bracts each subtending a flower, in Boerhaavia and others, the involucral leaves are reduced to teeth or scales.
  • 10. perianth  Tepals 4-5, gamophyllous, tubular with wide spreading lobes, often petaloid (infundibuliform) imbricate or twisted, contorted, connate in a funnel shaped or tubular perigone, the base of which persists and enclosing the fruit forming the so called anthrocarp.
  • 12.  Androecium:  Stamens variable 2 to 20, free, usually 5 to 8 or equal to number of petals but there may be fewer or more; filaments of unequal lengths.  Gynoecium:  One carpel, superior, unilocular with a single basal ovule; style long, simple.
  • 13.
  • 14.  Fruit:  Dry, one-seeded anthocarp (achene surrounded by persistent perianth lobes) indehiscent.  Seed:  Small, non-endospermic.  Pollination:  Entomophilous.
  • 18. Economic Importance of Nyctaginaceae  1. Medicinal:  Boerhaavia diffusa’s root is laxative and also used in asthma, anemia, jaundice. It is an antidote to snake venom, B. repens is diuretic. The roots of Mirabilis jalapa are purgative. The leaves lessen inflammation and are applied to boils.  2. Ornamental:  Mirabilis jalapa, Bougainvillea, Abronia. Pisonia aculeata is a hedge plant.
  • 19. Affinities of nyctanginaceae  The family is closely allied to Polygonaceae. Bentham and Hooker placed it together with Amaranthaceae, Chenopodiaceae. Nyctaginaceae can be distinguished from Polygonaceae by the nature of its fruit enclosed in the persistent base of the perianth.