Caryophyllaceae
Encyclopedia
The Caryophyllaceae, commonly called the pink family or carnation family, is a family
of flowering plant
s. It is included in the dicotyledon
order Caryophyllales
in the APG III system
, alongside 33 other families, including Amaranthaceae
, Cactaceae and Polygonaceae
. It is a large family, with 86 genera
and some 2,200 species
.
This cosmopolitan family of mostly herbaceous plant
s is best represented in temperate climates, with a few species growing on tropical mountains. Some of the more commonly known members include pinks and carnations (Dianthus
), and Firepink and campions (Lychnis
and Silene
). Many species
are grown as ornamental plant
s, and some species are widespread weed
s. Most species grow in the Mediterranean and bordering regions of Europe
and Asia
. The number of genera and species in the southern hemisphere
is rather small, although the family does contain Antarctic Pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis), the world's southernmost dicot, which is one of only two flowering plants found in Antarctica.
Most are herbacaceous annuals
or perennials
, dying off above ground each year. A few species are shrubs or small trees, such as some Acanthophyllum species. Most plants are non-succulent, i.e. having no fleshy stems or leaves
. The nodes on the stem are swollen. The leaves are almost always opposite, rarely whorled
. The blades are entire, petiolate and often stipulate. These stipule
s are not sheath-forming.
The hermaphroditic flower
s are terminal, blooming singly or in branched or forked in cyme
s. The inflorescence is usually dichasial at least in the lower parts, which means that in the axil of each peduncle (primary flower stalk) of the terminal flower in the cyme, two new single-flower branches sprout up on each side of and below the first flower. If the terminal flowers are absent, then this can lead to monochasia, i.e. a monoparous cyme with a single flower on each axis of the inflorescence
. In the extreme, this leads to a single flower, such as in Githago or Arenaria
. The flowers are regular and mostly 5-merous, i.e. with 5 petal
s and 5 sepal
s, but sometimes with 4 petals. The sepals may be free from one another or united. The petals may be entire, fringed or deeply cleft. The calyx may be cylindrically inflated, as in Silene. The stamen
s number 5 or 10 (or more rarely 4 or 8), and are mostly isomerous with the perianth. The superior gynoecium has 2 to 5 carpels (members of a compound pistil) and is syncarpous, i.e. with these carpels united in a compound ovary. This ovary
is 1-locular, i.e. having one chamber inside the ovary. The fruit
is a utricle or capsule
containing a single seed.
Currently, Amaranthaceae
and Caryophyllaceae are sister groups and considered closely related.
Formerly, Caryophyllaceae was considered the sister family to all of the remaining members of the suborder Caryophyllineae
because they have anthocyanins, and not betalain
pigments. However, cladistic analyses indicate that Caryophyllaceae evolved from ancestors that contained betalain, reinforcing betalain as an accurate synapomorphy
of the suborder.
This family is traditionally divided in three subfamilies, which are the:
The last, however, are a basal grade
of rather primitive members of this family, not closely related but simply retaining many plesiomorphic traits. Instead of a subfamily, most ought to be treated as genera incertae sedis
, but Corrigiola and Telephium might warrant recognition as Corrigioleae. The Alsinoideae on the other hand seem to form 2 distinct clade
s, perhaps less some misplaced genera. Finally, the Silenoideae appear monophyletic at least for the most part, if some of the taxa misplaced in Alsinoideae are moved there; it may be that the name Caryophylloideae would apply for the revised delimitation.
However, there is rampant hybridization between many members of this family – particularly in the Silenoideae/Caryophylloideae – and it has been found that in some the lineages of descent
are highly complicated and do not readily yield to cladistic analysis.
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of flowering plant
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
s. It is included in the dicotyledon
Dicotyledon
The dicotyledons, also known as dicots, are a group of flowering plants whose seed typically has two embryonic leaves or cotyledons. There are around 199,350 species within this group...
order Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales
Caryophyllales is an order of flowering plants that includes the cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, and many carnivorous plants. Many members are succulent, having fleshy stems or leaves.-Description:...
in the APG III system
APG III system
The APG III system of flowering plant classification is the third version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy...
, alongside 33 other families, including Amaranthaceae
Amaranthaceae
The flowering plant family Amaranthaceae, the Amaranth family, contains about 176 genera and 2,400 species.- Description :Most of these species are herbs or subshrubs; very few are trees or climbers. Some species are succulent....
, Cactaceae and Polygonaceae
Polygonaceae
Polygonaceae is a family of flowering plants known informally as the "knotweed family" or "smartweed family"— "buckwheat family" in the United States. The name is based on the genus Polygonum and was first used by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789 in his book, Genera Plantarum. The name refers...
. It is a large family, with 86 genera
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
and some 2,200 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
.
This cosmopolitan family of mostly herbaceous plant
Herbaceous plant
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
s is best represented in temperate climates, with a few species growing on tropical mountains. Some of the more commonly known members include pinks and carnations (Dianthus
Dianthus
Dianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native mainly to Europe and Asia, with a few species extending south to north Africa, and one species in arctic North America. Common names include carnation , pink and sweet William Dianthus is a genus of...
), and Firepink and campions (Lychnis
Lychnis
Lychnis is a genus of 15-25 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to Europe, Asia and north Africa. The genus is closely related to Silene, differing in the flowers having five styles , the seed capsule having five teeth , and in the sticky stems of Lychnis...
and Silene
Silene
Silene is a genus of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae. Common names include campion and catchfly....
). Many species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
are grown as ornamental plant
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
s, and some species are widespread weed
Weed
A weed in a general sense is a plant that is considered by the user of the term to be a nuisance, and normally applied to unwanted plants in human-controlled settings, especially farm fields and gardens, but also lawns, parks, woods, and other areas. More specifically, the term is often used to...
s. Most species grow in the Mediterranean and bordering regions of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. The number of genera and species in the southern hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
is rather small, although the family does contain Antarctic Pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis), the world's southernmost dicot, which is one of only two flowering plants found in Antarctica.
Description
Despite its size and the somewhat doubtful mutual relationships, this family is rather uniform and easily recognizable.Most are herbacaceous annuals
Annual plant
An annual plant is a plant that usually germinates, flowers, and dies in a year or season. True annuals will only live longer than a year if they are prevented from setting seed...
or perennials
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
, dying off above ground each year. A few species are shrubs or small trees, such as some Acanthophyllum species. Most plants are non-succulent, i.e. having no fleshy stems or leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
. The nodes on the stem are swollen. The leaves are almost always opposite, rarely whorled
Whorl (botany)
In botany, a whorl is an arrangement of sepals, petals, leaves, or branches in which all the parts are attached at the same point and surround or wrap around the stem.There are four whorls in a general flower...
. The blades are entire, petiolate and often stipulate. These stipule
Stipule
In botany, stipule is a term coined by Linnaeus which refers to outgrowths borne on either side of the base of a leafstalk...
s are not sheath-forming.
The hermaphroditic flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s are terminal, blooming singly or in branched or forked in cyme
Cyme
Cyme or CYME may refer to:*Any of several ancient Greek cities :** Cyme ** Cyme ** Cyme...
s. The inflorescence is usually dichasial at least in the lower parts, which means that in the axil of each peduncle (primary flower stalk) of the terminal flower in the cyme, two new single-flower branches sprout up on each side of and below the first flower. If the terminal flowers are absent, then this can lead to monochasia, i.e. a monoparous cyme with a single flower on each axis of the inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
. In the extreme, this leads to a single flower, such as in Githago or Arenaria
Arenaria
Arenaria, a Latin word meaning sand-loving , may refer to :-Genera:* Arenaria , the turnstones, a bird genus of the family Scolopacidae* Arenaria , the sandworts, a plant genus of the family Caryophyllaceae...
. The flowers are regular and mostly 5-merous, i.e. with 5 petal
Petal
Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...
s and 5 sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s, but sometimes with 4 petals. The sepals may be free from one another or united. The petals may be entire, fringed or deeply cleft. The calyx may be cylindrically inflated, as in Silene. The stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s number 5 or 10 (or more rarely 4 or 8), and are mostly isomerous with the perianth. The superior gynoecium has 2 to 5 carpels (members of a compound pistil) and is syncarpous, i.e. with these carpels united in a compound ovary. This ovary
Ovary (plants)
In the flowering plants, an ovary is a part of the female reproductive organ of the flower or gynoecium. Specifically, it is the part of the pistil which holds the ovule and is located above or below or at the point of connection with the base of the petals and sepals...
is 1-locular, i.e. having one chamber inside the ovary. The fruit
Fruit
In broad terms, a fruit is a structure of a plant that contains its seeds.The term has different meanings dependent on context. In non-technical usage, such as food preparation, fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state,...
is a utricle or capsule
Capsule
-Anatomy:* an eggshell* Articular capsules - every diarthrodial joint possesses a fibrous or ligamentous capsule, lined with synovial membrane, attached to the adjacent ends of the articulating bones* the sac that encloses the crystalline lens of the eye...
containing a single seed.
Systematics
Amaranthaceae
The flowering plant family Amaranthaceae, the Amaranth family, contains about 176 genera and 2,400 species.- Description :Most of these species are herbs or subshrubs; very few are trees or climbers. Some species are succulent....
and Caryophyllaceae are sister groups and considered closely related.
Formerly, Caryophyllaceae was considered the sister family to all of the remaining members of the suborder Caryophyllineae
Caryophyllineae
Caryophyllineae is a suborder of flowering plants.-Systematics:Caryophyllales is separated into 2 sub-orders: Caryophyllineae and Polygonineae...
because they have anthocyanins, and not betalain
Betalain
Betalains are a class of red and yellow indole-derived pigments found in plants of the Caryophyllales, where they replace anthocyanin pigments. Betalains also occur in some higher order fungi. They are most often noticeable in the petals of flowers, but may color the fruits, leaves, stems, and...
pigments. However, cladistic analyses indicate that Caryophyllaceae evolved from ancestors that contained betalain, reinforcing betalain as an accurate synapomorphy
Synapomorphy
In cladistics, a synapomorphy or synapomorphic character is a trait that is shared by two or more taxa and their most recent common ancestor, whose ancestor in turn does not possess the trait. A synapomorphy is thus an apomorphy visible in multiple taxa, where the trait in question originates in...
of the suborder.
This family is traditionally divided in three subfamilies, which are the:
- Alsinoideae: no stipules; petals not united
- Silenoideae: no stipules; petals united
- Paronychioideae: with fleshy stipules; petals separate or united.
The last, however, are a basal grade
Paraphyly
A group of taxa is said to be paraphyletic if the group consists of all the descendants of a hypothetical closest common ancestor minus one or more monophyletic groups of descendants...
of rather primitive members of this family, not closely related but simply retaining many plesiomorphic traits. Instead of a subfamily, most ought to be treated as genera incertae sedis
Incertae sedis
, is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Uncertainty at specific taxonomic levels is attributed by , , and similar terms.-Examples:*The fossil plant Paradinandra suecica could not be assigned to any...
, but Corrigiola and Telephium might warrant recognition as Corrigioleae. The Alsinoideae on the other hand seem to form 2 distinct clade
Clade
A clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
s, perhaps less some misplaced genera. Finally, the Silenoideae appear monophyletic at least for the most part, if some of the taxa misplaced in Alsinoideae are moved there; it may be that the name Caryophylloideae would apply for the revised delimitation.
However, there is rampant hybridization between many members of this family – particularly in the Silenoideae/Caryophylloideae – and it has been found that in some the lineages of descent
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
are highly complicated and do not readily yield to cladistic analysis.
Genera
- Acanthophyllum
- AchyronychiaAchyronychiaAchyronychia is a monotypic genus of flowering plant containing the single species Achyronychia cooperi, which is known by the common names onyxflower and frost-mat. This plant is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of northern Mexico and the U.S. states of California and Arizona...
– "onyxflower", "frost-mat" - AgrostemmaAgrostemmaAgrostemma is a genus of annual plants in the Caryophyllaceae family, containing the species known as corncockles. Its best-known member is A. githago, the Common Corncockle, which is a native of Europe where it is simply called "the Corncockle". The species is a weed of cereals and other crops,...
– "corncockles" - Allochrusa
- AlsinidendronAlsinidendronAlsinidendron is a genus of plant in family Caryophyllaceae, whose species are often included in the genus Schiedea. There are four species, all federally listed endangered species endemic to Hawaii.Species include:...
- Ankyropetalum
- ArenariaArenaria (plant)Arenaria is a genus of flowering plants, within the family Caryophyllaceae.Species of this genus are among those plants commonly known as "sandworts". Several species formerly classified within Arenaria are now classed in the genera Spergularia, Eremogone and Minuartia.Species include:*Arenaria...
– "sandworts" - Bolanthus
- Bolbosaponaria
- Brachystemma
- Bufonia
- Cardionema
- CerastiumCerastiumCerastium is a genus of annual, winter annual, or perennial plants belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae. The around 100 species are commonly called Mouse-ear chickweed; different species are found nearly worldwide but the greatest concentration is mainly from the northern temperate areas of the...
– "mouse-ear chickweeds" - Cerdia
- ColobanthusColobanthusColobanthus is a large genus of small, cushion-like herbaceous plants, sometimes known as "pearlworts", a name they share with plants of the related genus Sagina.-Selected species:* Colobanthus affinis* Colobanthus apetalus...
– "pearlworts" - Cometes
- Corrigiola – "strapworts"
- Cucubalus
- Cyathophylla
- DianthusDianthusDianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native mainly to Europe and Asia, with a few species extending south to north Africa, and one species in arctic North America. Common names include carnation , pink and sweet William Dianthus is a genus of...
– "carnations" and "pinks" - Diaphanoptera
- Dicheranthus
- Drymaria
- DrypisDrypisDrypis is a flowering plant genus in the family Caryophyllaceae....
- Eremogone
- GeocarponGeocarponGeocarpon is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the pink family containing the single species Geocarpon minimum, which is known by the common names tinytim and earth-fruit. It is a rare plant known from about 34 populations in the US states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas...
- GymnocarposGymnocarposGymnocarpos is a genus of plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It contains the following species :* Gymnocarpos bracteatus, Thulin* Gymnocarpos kuriensis, Thulin...
- GypsophilaGypsophilaGypsophila —commonly known as baby's-breath in the United States and Canada, "soap wort" in the United Kingdom, elsewhere Gypsophila—is a genus of about 100 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to Europe, Asia and north Africa. Many species are found on calcium-rich...
– "gypsophilas", "baby's-breath" - Habrosia
- Haya
- HerniariaHerniariaHerniaria is a genus of flowering plants in the pink family known generally as ruptureworts. They are native to Eurasia and Africa but several species have been widely introduced to other continents. These are flat, mat-forming annual herbs...
– "ruptureworts" - HolosteumHolosteumHolosteum is a genus of plants in the Pink family with 3 or 4 species native from southern Europe through central and south western Asia and in Africa. They are herbs with an annual life span, some growing as winter annuals. They have slender roots and thin stems that are upright or ascending...
– "jagged chickweeds" - Honckenya
- Illecebrum
- Kabulia
- Krauseola
- Kuhitangia
- Lepyrodiclis
- Lochia
- Loeflingia
- LychnisLychnisLychnis is a genus of 15-25 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to Europe, Asia and north Africa. The genus is closely related to Silene, differing in the flowers having five styles , the seed capsule having five teeth , and in the sticky stems of Lychnis...
– "campions", "catchflies" - Melandrium
- Mesostemma
- Microphyes
- MinuartiaMinuartiaMinuartia is a genus of small flowering plants, one of those commonly known as "sandwort" or "stitchwort". The genus is classed within the family Caryophyllaceae, the pink family, characterised by its opposite and decussate leaves....
– "sandworts", "stitchworts" - MoehringiaMoehringiaMoehringia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae. Members of this genus and of some other genera in Caryophyllaceae are commonly called sandworts. They are found only in the north temperate zone. Moehringia was established by Linnaeus in 1753. Its type species is M....
– "sandworts" - MoenchiaMoenchiaMoenchia is a genus of plants in the family Caryophyllaceae with three species native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and naturalised in southern Africa and parts of North America and Australia. They are herbs, with an annual life span. They have slender roots and thin stems that are...
– "upright chickweeds" - Myosoton
- Ochotonophila
- Ortegia
- ParonychiaParonychia (plant)Paronychia is a genus of plants in the pink family with over 110 species worldwide, mostly from warm-temperate North America, Eurasia, South America and Africa. They are herbs that are annual or biennial or perennial in life span. Some species have a woody base...
– "chickweeds" - Pentastemonodiscus
- Petrocoptis
- PetrorhagiaPetrorhagiaPetrorhagia is a small genus of annual and perennial plants of the pink or carnation family, mostly native to the Mediterranean region. The genus is often referred to as Tunica, which is an obsolete synonym. It is low-growing with wiry stems and narrow, grass-like leaves...
(previously known as Tunica) - Philippiella
- Phrynella
- Pinosia
- Pirinia
- Pleioneura
- Plettkia
- Pollichia
- PolycarpaeaPolycarpaeaPolycarpaea is a genus of plant in family Caryophyllaceae. It contains the following species :* Polycarpaea akkensis, Maire.* Polycarpaea aristata, Chr.Sm.* Polycarpaea balfourii, Briq....
- PolycarponPolycarponPolycarpon is a genus of flowering plants in the pink family. They are known generally as manyseeds. There are roughly 9 to 15 species, representing most continents. The best-known species is perhaps Polycarpon tetraphyllum, which is native to southern Europe but is present in many other regions as...
- Polytepalum
- PseudostellariaPseudostellariaPseudostellaria is a genus of flowering plants in the pink family. There are up to 20 species, most of which occur in Asia. They are similar to Stellaria, differing in the morphology of the roots and fruit capsules and having shallower notches in the petals.Species include:*Pseudostellaria...
- Pteranthus
- Pycnophyllopsis
- Pycnophyllum
- Reicheella
- SaginaSaginaSagina is a genus of 20–30 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae. These are flowering herbs native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere extending south to tropical mountain areas at high altitudes, reaching just south of the equator in Africa...
– "pearlworts" - Sanctambrosia
- SaponariaSaponariaSaponaria, also known as soapworts, is a genus of about 20 species of perennial herbs in the Caryophyllaceae, native to southern Europe and southwest Asia. The most familiar species in Europe is the Common Soapwort , locally simply known as "the Soapwort". They grow to a height of 10-60 cm, with...
– "soapworts" - SchiedeaSchiedeaSchiedea is a genus of flowering plants in the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. It contains 34 species :*S. adamantis St. John - Diamond Head Schiedea *S. amplexicaulis H. Mann*S. apokremnos St. John...
- Scleranthopsis
- ScleranthusScleranthusScleranthus, the knawels, are a genus of herbaceous plants in the carnation family.Species include:*Scleranthus annuus L. , native to Africa, Europe, Asia and naturalised elsewhere....
– "knawels" - Sclerocephalus
- ScopulophilaScopulophilaScopulophila is a small genus of flowering plants in the pink family.There are two species:*Scopulophila parryi - native to Mexico*Scopulophila rixfordii - native to California and Nevada-External links:**...
- Selleola
- SileneSileneSilene is a genus of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae. Common names include campion and catchfly....
– "campions", "catchflies" - SpergulaSpergulaSpergula is a genus of about five plants belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae. Their usual English name is spurrey. Commonly found in grassland, the genus originated in the Northern Hemisphere, but is now found worldwide....
– "spurreys" - SpergulariaSpergulariaSpergularia is a genus of the Caryophyllaceae family, containing plants known as sea-spurreys and sandspurrys. There are about 60 species.-Species:* Spergularia azorica - endemic to the archipelago of the Azores*Spergularia atrosperma...
– "sea-spurreys" - Sphaerocoma
- StellariaStellariaStellaria is a genus of about 90-120 species flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, with a cosmopolitan distribution. Common names include stitchwort and chickweed.-Food use:...
– "chickweeds", "stitchworts" - Stipulicida
- Thurya
- Thylacospermum
- Uebelinia
- Vaccaria
- Velezia
- Wilhelmsia
- Xerotia
External links
- Family Caryophyllaceae - Pink Plant Life Forms