Asclepiadaceae Plant Family Description

Asclepiadaceae Plant Family Description

This family have 280 genera and near about 1800 species.

Distribution

This family is dominant in tropical regions mainly in south and central America. It is also well represented in PAKISTAN. Most common species is  Calatropis procera and Crptostegia grandiflora is cultivated in gardens.

Characteristics 

Habit

Mostly members are herbaceous.

Root 

They have tap root.

Leaf

They have simple leaves which are ex-stipulate. some are fleshy covered with wax. They have opposite arrangement.

Stem

They have herbaceous stem. Hoya have fleshy stem.

Inflorescence

They have two type of inflorescence.
   1. Cymose      2. Racemose
Mainly cymose inflorescence is founded. 

Flower

 Mostly flowers are Pentamerous and bi-sexual.They have succulent flowers. Their symmetry is mostly Actinomorphic. Zygomorphic is very rear. Flowers have bracts.

Calyx

They have 5 sepals,poly-sepalous and inferior

 Corolla

 5 petals which are fused and form a short tubes.

Corona 

 simple. Have 5 appendages which are attached to Staminal tube.

Androecium

Have 5 stamens. Anthers are united and form a blunt cone. This cone is attached to the head of stigma.

Gynoecium

 Mostly bicarpellary. Styles are united and form Swollen stigma heads. Ovary is mostly Superior.

Fruit

 Mostly with 2 Follicles and some time only single follicle.

Seed

Seed is usually small and have long hairs. The purpose of long hairs is for dispersal.
IMPORTANT GENERA

• Asclepias curasssavica 
• Oxystelma esculentum 
•  Calotropis gigantea
•  Stapelia variegata
•  Hoya longifolia
• Daemia extensa
  

calotropis procera diagram

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