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Boraginaceae

Classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order Type: Eudicots-Asterids I Order: Lamiales Family: Boraginaceae Family Common Name: Borage Family Genera: Brunera, Heliotropium, Mertensia, Myosotis, Pulmonaria Defining Features: Leaves often with cystoliths or oxalate crystals and unicellular bristly hairs. Corolla often changes color as ages (change in PH of the cell sap). Defining Morphology: Floral Features: Inflorescences are determinate, terminal and often-in cymes (scorpioid or helicoid), sometimes heterostylous. Flowers are often actinomorphic and bisexual. Flowers have annular nectar disk around gynoecium. Calyx is free to connate. Ovary is superior with axile placentation. Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon. Fruits are 2 or 4 nutlets, capsule, schizocarp or drupe. Embryo is straight with copious, oily endosperm. Vegetative Features: Habit as trees, shrubs, frequently herbs, rarely lianas. Leaves alternate, simple, and usually entire. Stipules are lacking. Distribution: Temperate and subtropical, but centered in Mediterranean. Economic Use: As cultivated garden ornamentals, potherbs and red dye. Some species are poisonous. Number of Genera Globally: 134 Number of Species Globally: 2,650

Comments, Questions, Desire to Support: Contact Mo Fayyaz, Greenhouse/Garden Director.

File last updated: 2011.

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