Polemoniaceae
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The Polemoniaceae (Jacob's-ladder or phlox family) are a family of flowering plants consisting of about 27 genera[1] with 270–400 species of annuals and perennials native to the Northern Hemisphere and South America, with the center of diversity in western North America.
Only one genus (Polemonium) is found in Europe, and two (Phlox and Polemonium) in Asia, where they are confined to cool temperate to arctic regions; both genera also occur more widely in North America, suggesting relatively recent colonization of the Old World from North America.
The family can be distinguished from most other eudicot families by the ovary made up of three fused carpels (usually with three chambers, but with one chamber in some species).[2] The members of the family have five sepals, five petals fused, and five stamens that alternate with the lobes of the corolla.
For decades, most sources used a classification of the family published by Grant in 1959, but new evidence, including molecular phylogeny, veins of the corolla, pollen, and the flavonoids present, have led to reclassifications, such as the 1998 classification by Grant.[2] It recognizes two subfamilies. The subfamily Cobaeoideae is tropical/subtropical and composed of six genera organized into five tribes. The subfamily Polemonioideae consists of 13 temperate genera. Grant divides it into three tribes, but with the disclaimer that it is not clear what the correct division is and that the genus classifications may be more useful in this subfamily.[2]
Human uses
A number are widely grown as ornamental plants, such as Ipomopsis aggregata (skyrocket or scarlet gilia), and many species of Phlox, Gilia and Polemonium. The kantuta (Cantua buxifolia) is the national flower of Bolivia and Peru.
Genera
27 genera are accepted.[1]
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- Acanthogilia A.Day & R.C.MoranScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Aliciella BrandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Allophyllum (Nutt.) A.D.Grant & V.E.GrantScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Bonplandia Cav.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Bryantiella J.M.PorterScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Cantua Juss. ex Lam.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Cobaea Cav.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Collomia Nutt.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Dayia J.M.PorterScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Eriastrum Wooton & Standl.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Gilia Ruiz & Pav.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Giliastrum (Brand) Rydb.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Gymnosteris GreeneScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Ipomopsis Michx.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Langloisia GreeneScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Lathrocasis L.A.JohnsonScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Leptosiphon Benth.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Linanthus Benth.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Loeselia L.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Loeseliastrum (Brand) TimbrookScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Maculigilia V.E.GrantScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Microgilia J.M.Porter & L.A.JohnsonScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Microsteris GreeneScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Navarretia Ruiz & Pav.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Phlox L.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Polemonium L.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Saltugilia (V.E.Grant) L.A.JohnsonScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
One extinct genus, Gilisenium, has been placed in the family based on an Early Eocene (Ypresian) fossil found in the Green River Formation of Utah.[3]
References
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External links
- Tree of Life Polemoniaceae
- Polemoniaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants.
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