| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Eudicots-Caryophyllids
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae + Tetragoniaceae
Family Common Name: Stone Plant Family
Genera: Dorotheanthus |
Defining Features: Has many
features in common with other families (Cactaceae and Crassulaceae) that
are adapted to xeric environments, such as succulent leaves and presence
of "window" leaves in some genera (e.g. Lithops).
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers mare actinomorphic and bisexual or unisexual (plants
are monoecious). Inflorescences are as in cymes or reduced to a solitary
flower. Ovaries are often inferior with a hypanthium present. Placentations
are various, including apical, basal, parietal or mostly axile. Fruit and
Seed Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit a capsule or berry (rarely as a nut).
Seeds have perisperm, but lacking endosperm. Vegetative Features: Habit
as succulent herbs or shrubs and either annual or perennial. Leaves are
simple, without spines and opposite. Stipules are often lacking.
Distribution: Pan tropical
with a concentration in South Africa and Australia.
Economic Use: As a greenhouse
and garden ornamentals. Tetragonia is being used as vegetable.
Number of Genera Globally:
127
Number of Species Globally:
2,500
