Artificial Group Floriferae Polypetalae Subclass Rosidae Hippocastanaceae (Buckeye Family) 2 Genera 15 species (4 on campus) I. Leaves A. Opposite B. Palmately compound C. Estipulate II. Flowers A. Perfect or imperfect (monoecious) B. Zygomorphic III. Fruit A. Leathery capsule with 1-6 large brown seeds with light colored hilum IV. Economic Importance A. Wood used a little in boxes, crates, shipping containers, concealed parts of furniture B. Oranamental V. Range A. N., C., S. America, Mexico, SE Europe E Asia, & India Species comparison within Aesculus [Latin name for tree with edible acorns] Resinous Buds (Horsechestnuts) I. Aesculus hippocastanum (European horsechestnut) A. Copious resin B. 7 leaflets C. White flowers II. A. carnea (Red horsechestnut) A. Moderate resin B. 5 leaflets C. Red flowers Nonresinous Buds (Buckeyes) I. A. glabra (Ohio, Fetid Buckeye) A. 5 leaflets that smell bad B. Prickles on fruit C. Light yellow flowers D. Rough, corky bark II. A. flava (A. octandra) (Yellow, Sweet Buckeye) [Yellowish] [eight stemmed] A. 5 leaflets that don't smell or smell sweet B. Smooth fruit C. Yellow flowers D. Smooth, firm bark Artificial Group Floriferae Polypetalae Subclass Rosidae Cornaceae (Dogwood Family) 15 Genera (2 on campus) 120 species I. Leaves A. Simple B. Estipulate C. Opposite (most Cornus); Alternate (Nyssa) II. Flowers A. Perfect, 4-merous (Cornus) B. Imperfect, polygamo-dioecious (Nyssa) III. Fruit A. Drupe IV. Economic Importance A. Ornamental (Cornus) B. Plywood veneer & wood pulp, especially in S. coastal plains USA (Nyssa) V. Range A. Eastern N. America & mountains of N. Mexico Generic/species comparison I. Cornus (Dogwoods) [Ancient L name for cornelian cherry] A. Homogeneous Pith B. Arcuate veins C. Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) 1. Lateral buds hidden by petioles 2. Knob shaped flower buds D. Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry) 1. Lateral buds evident 2. Top shaped flower buds II. Nyssa (Tupelo) [Water nymph] A. Diaphragmed Pith B. Parallel straight veins C. Nyssa sylvatica (Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Sourgum) [of the forest] 1. 5-13 cm obovate leaves 2. Alligator hide bark Ornamental Families within Floriferae Simaroubaceae (Quassa, Bitterwood Family) 25 Genera (1 on campus) 150 species I. Leaves A. Alternate B. Pinnately compound or simple C. Stipulate or estipulate II. Flowers A. Regular B. Imperfect polygamous or dioecious C. small in large showy panicles III. Fruits A. Capsule, drupe, berry, samara IV. Economic Importance A. Water soluble bitter compound used in insecticides & medicine V. Range A. Tropical & Subtropical VI. Ailanthus altissima (Tree of heaven, Stink Tree) [Reaching to the heaven-G, tall-se] A. 30-60 cm pinnately compound leaves B. leaflets smell bad, have 1-5 round teeth with apical glands at base C. Cream to reddish brown twisted samaras in large clusters D. Introduced from E. Asia, now naturalized in disturbed areas throughout temperate N. America E. Difficult to eradicate because of numerous seeds & root sprouts, rapid growth "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster Family) 3 Genera 50 species I. Leaves A. Alternate B. Simple C. Entire D. Estipulate II. Flowers A. Perfect or imperfect (dioecious) B. Regular C. 2-4 sepals, no petals D. 2,4,8 stamens E. 1 pistil III. Fruit A. Achene that looks drupe-like because of fleshy calyx tube IV. Economic importance A. root nodules with Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria B. Introduced species naturalized weeds in many areas V. Range A. NW, NC North America; Asia VI. Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive) A. Silver, stellate hairs B. Often with spines Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family) 53 Genera 900 species I. Leaves A. Simple B. Stipulate C. Alternate or subopposite II. Flowers A. Perfect or imperfect (polygamous) B. 5-merous C. 2-, 3-celled pistil III. Fruit A. Drupe, capsule IV. Economic Importance A. Roots, bark, stems, leaves contain useful compounds for pharmaceuticals B. Edible jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) from Asia V. Range A. Tropics & warmer latitudes VI. Rhamnus cathartica (European Buckthorn) [Ancient Grk name for prickly shrubs-G, purgative-se] A. Purplish black drupe B. Spine tipped branches Annonaceae (Custard-Apple Family) 130 Genera 2300 species I. Leaves A. Simple B. Alternate C. Estipulate D. Entire E. Aromatic II. Flowers A. Solitary B. Perfect C. Regular D. 6-9 tepals E. numerous stamens F. 3-celled pistil IV. Fruit A. Berry with large seeds V. Economic Importance A. Edible Fruit 1. Custard Apple (Annona reticulata) 2. Cherimoya (Annona cherimoya) 3. Soursop (Annona muricata) 4. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) VI. Range A. Tropics VII. Asimina triloba (Pawpaw) [Native American name-G, three lobed-se] A. Small understory tree B. Obovate, foul smelling leaves C. Dark maroon flower Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family) 4 Genera 420 species I. Leaves A. Mostly evergreen B. Alternate C. Simple D. Stipulate II. Flowers A. Imperfect (dioecious) B. 5-merous III. Fruit A. Drupe IV. Economic Importance A. Ornamentals B. Christmas decorations C. Furniture wood V. Range A. Worldwide VI. Ilex opaca (American Holly) [Ancient L name for oak-G, opaque-se] A. Spiny teeth (aculeate) B. Greenish-white flowers C. Poisonous red fruit D. Light gray, warty bark