| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Eudicots-Unplaced Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Lythraceae + Punicaceae
Family Common Name: Loosestrife Family
Genera: Cuphea, Punica |
Defining Features: In North
America, the introduction of some species from Eurasia has caused an over
abundance in moist, disturbed areas and wetlands. The unique characters
of the fruit and hypanthium make it distinct in this order.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Inflorescences are various. Flowers are showy, bisexual, and
often actinomorphic with tubular calyx and corolla. Petals are clawed.
Hypanthium is ribbed. Ovaries are more or less superior with axile placentation.
Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon. Fruits are often capsule or rarely
a berry. Seeds coat with several-layered outer integument and sometimes
have dermal hairs. The dermal hairs of the seed coat become expanded and
mucilaginous upon wetting. Vegetative Features: Habit as herbs, shrubs,
or trees. Leaves simple, mostly opposite, whorled, and entire. Bark is
flaky. Stipules are hair-like or vestigial.
Distribution: Widespread in
the tropics and some in temperate regions.
Economic Use: As an ornamentals
in warmer regions and perennials gardens as well as houseplants and the
source of many red dyes, including henna. As the source of the pomegranate,
which also gives us the fermented drink grenadine. The bark is used in
Egypt for tanning leather and in medicine.
Number of Genera Globally: 30
Number of Species Globally: 600
