Monocots I.

Monocotyledons (Monocotyledonae, Monocots)

• Monophyletic group

• Comprise 22% of all angiosperms

• Relationships to other “basal” angiosperms unclear at present

Apomorphies of the Monocots

• Different stem vasculature

• Parallel leaf venation

• Single cotyledon

• NOTE: a trimerous flower merosity is not a Monocot apomorphy

Apomorphies of the Monocots• Atactostele stem vasculature

Apomorphies of the Monocots• Parallel leaf venation (penni-parallel in some)

Apomorphies of the Monocots• Single cotyledon

Liliaceae - Lily family

• Perennial

• Usually bulbous herbs, lacking an onion-like odor

• Basal or cauline leaves

• Inflorescence a raceme, umbel or of solitary flowers

• 16 genera / ca. 600 species

Liliaceae

Liliaceae – herbaceous perennials

Bulbs

Lillium

Tulipa

Loculicidal capsule – common fruit type in the Lilliaceae

Maianthemum – False Solomon’s Seal

Eremocrinum albomarginatum (Sand Lily)

Lilium philadelphicum (Wood Lily)

Orchidaceae - Orchid family

• Mycorrhizal, mostly perrennial, terrestrial or epiphytic herbs having trimerous flowers

• Showy labellum

• Androecium and gynoecium adnate

• Pollinia - pollen grains fused into a 1-several masses

• 700-800 genera / ca. 20,000 species

Caladenia longiclavata Australia

labellum

column

Cattleya sp.

Cymbidium sp.

Cypripedium sp. Lady’s Slipper

Dendrobium phalaenopsis

Dracula chimaera Dracula vampira

Encyclia sp. Cockleshell Orchid

Epidendrum sp.

Oncidium lanceanum

Pseudobulb

Stanhopea trigrinum

Thelymitra antennifera Australia

Vanilla planifolia Vanilla Orchid

Commelinid Monocots

Apomorphy: UV-fluorescent organic acids (including coumaric, diferulic, and ferulic acid) that impregnate the cell walls.

Arecaceae (Palmae) - Palm family

• Rhizomatous, lianous, or usually arborescent stem

• Large, sheathing, plicate leaves

• Fleshy, usually drupaceous fruit, and seeds lacking starch

• The plicate leaves is an apomorphy for the family.

• 190 genera / ca. 2,000 species.

Arecaceae – Palm Family

Fruit a drupe

Archontophoenix cunnighamiana King Palm

Syagrus romanzoffianum Queen Palm

Calamus Rattan Palm

Chamaerops humilis Mediterranean Palm

Licuala peltata

Nypa fruticans - a rhizomatous palm

Phoenix canariensis

Canary I. Palm

Phoenix dactylifera

Date Palm

Sabal urseana

Washingtonia filifera Desert Fan Palm

Washingtonia filifera Desert Fan Palm

Washingtonia robusta Zombia antillarum

Bromeliaceae - Bromeliad family

• Perrenial terrestrial or epiphytic herbs or shrubs with surface peltate scales,

• Colorful bracts

• Trimerous flowers with typically twisted stigmas.

• P 3+3 or (3)+(3) A 3+3 G 3, superior or inferior.

• 59 genera / 2,400 species

Peltate scales

Peltate scales fr. Pierce, 2006

Twisted Styles

Aechmea

Ananas comosus Pineapple

Dyckia dawsonii

Neoregalia

Tillandsia fasciculata

Tillandsia usneoides Spanish moss