Rubiaceae
Rubiaceae
Rubiaceae (pronounced /ruːbiˈeɪsiː/), also known as the madder or coffee family, is a family of flowering plants. It is one of the largest families of flowering plants, consisting of more than 13,500 species in 611 genera.
Etymology
The name Rubiaceae comes from the type genus Rubia, from Latin "rubeus", meaning red. This is in reference to the red roots of the plant Rubia tinctorum, which was used to make red dye.
Description
Members of the Rubiaceae family are generally characterized by opposite leaves that are simple, entire and often interpetiolar stipules. The flowers are typically tubular with a bilateral symmetry. The fruits are often berries or capsules.
Genera
Some of the notable genera in the Rubiaceae family include:
- Coffea: The genus of flowering plants whose seeds, called coffee beans, are used to produce coffee.
- Cinchona: The source of the antimalarial drug quinine.
- Gardenia: A genus of flowering plants that includes some highly fragrant species.
- Rubia: The type genus of the family, known for its use in making red dye.
Related Terms
- Angiosperms: The group of plants that the Rubiaceae family belongs to.
- Flowering plant: A type of plant that produces flowers, which includes all members of the Rubiaceae family.
- Perennial plant: Many members of the Rubiaceae family are perennials, meaning they live for more than two years.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rubiaceae
- Wikipedia's article - Rubiaceae
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