| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Eudicots-Unplaced Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Onagraceae
Family Common Name: Evening Primrose Family
Genera: Fuchsia, Gaura, Oenothera |
Defining Features: With characters
that make it distinctive from other families, molecular systematists have
studied this family extensively so that much cytogenetic information exists
regarding it.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Inflorescences are indeterminate, axillary or terminal and solitary.
Flowers are often 4-merous, bisexual, actinomorphic or zygomorphic. Petals
are distinct and often clawed. There are 8 stamens with filaments united
at the base. Ovaries are inferior, usually with axile placentation. Hypantium
is well developed and has nectary at its base. Fruit and Seed Features:
Dicotyledon. Fruit a capsule, berry or a nut. Endosperm is lacking. Vegetative
Features: Habit as herbs or shrubs and occasionally trees. Leaves often
are opposite, simple and with small stipules. Raphides are present.
Distribution: Cosmopolitan,
but very diverse in the western portion of North America and South America.
Economic Use: As an ornamental
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: 16
Number of Species Globally: 650
