| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperms-Monocots
Order: Commelinales
Family: Commelinaceae
Family Common Name: Spiderwort Family
Genera: Callisa, Commelina, Tradescantia |
Defining Features: The taxa
of the family are often fleshy, with swollen nodes and have three-celled,
glandular hairs.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are actinomorphic or zygomorphic and bisexual (rarely
unisexual). Inflorescence is a helicoids cymose borne at the stem apex
or in the leaf axil and subtended by one or more bracts (spathes). Ovaries
are superior with axile placentaion. Flowers often blue or pink and last
for only one day. Fruit and Seed Features: Monocotyledon. Fruit a capsule
or a berry. Seeds with a swelling on the outer surface indicating the location
of the embryo within (termed a embryostega) and sometimes covered with
an aril. Endosperm is present and mealy. Vegetative Features: Habit as
somewhat succulent herbs. Leaves simple, alternate with entire margin and
sheathing at the base. Stipules lacking. Stems jointed, often with mucilage
cells containing raphides.
Distribution: Widespread throughout
the subtropical and tropical regions, with a few in the temperate regions
of North America, China, Japan and Australia.
Economic Use: As a cultivated
garden and indoor ornamental as well as used medicinally.
Number of Genera Globally:
40
Number of Species Globally:
650
