| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Basal Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Family Common Name: Buttercup Family
Genera: Aconitum, Anemone, Aquilegia, Caulophyllum, Cimicifuga,
Clematis, Delphinium, Pulsatilla, Thalictrum, Trollius |
Defining Features: The family
is large and has been divided either into 5 subfamilies or into many smaller
families by some botanists.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are actinomorphic and bisexual (rarely zygomorphic and
unisexual). Flowers have large petaloid sepals and nectariferous "petals".
Inflorescences are determinate or indeterminate as a cyme, panicle or raceme,
or as a solitary flower. Ovaries are superior with parietal placentation.
Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit is an aggregate of achene or
follicle or a berry. Seeds have endosperm. Vegetative Features: Habit as
mostly herbs, woody shrubs or small trees (rarely a vine). Leaves are simple
or compound with netted venation. Leaves are mostly alternate (sometimes
opposite), broad base and lobed margins. Leaves with sheathing leaf bases.
Stipules are lacking.
Distribution: They are mainly
in cooler temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. Not in lowland
tropics.
Economic Use: Many attractive
garden ornamentals. Some genera are very poisonous.
Number of Genera Globally:
47
Number of Species Globally:
2,000
