Lythraceae
Sign in to saveLythraceae is a family of flowering plants that includes 28 genera and about 620 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees. The larger genera include Cuphea (275 spp.), Lagerstroemia (56), Nesaea (50), Rotala (45), and Lythrum (35). It also includes the members of the former families of the pomegranate (Punica granatum, formerly in Punicaceae) and of the water caltrop (Trapa natans, formerly in Trapaceae). Lythraceae has a worldwide distribution, with most species in the tropics, but ranging into temperate climate regions as well.
AI overview
Lythraceae is a family of flowering plants containing about 620 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees found across the world, with the greatest diversity in tropical regions. The family includes economically and ecologically important plants such as the pomegranate and water caltrop, along with ornamental species like crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia).
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Taxonomy · GBIF
FAMILY
- KingdomPlantae
- PhylumTracheophyta
- ClassMagnoliopsida
- OrderMyrtales
- FamilyLythraceae
via GBIF · CC0
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Characteristics
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Fruits and seeds
- Distribution
- Economic importance
- Taxonomy
- Genera
- Gallery
- References
- Further reading
Lythraceae is a family of flowering plants that includes 28 genera and about 620 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees. The larger genera include Cuphea (275 spp.), Lagerstroemia (56), Nesaea (50), Rotala (45), and Lythrum (35). It also includes the members of the former families of the pomegranate (Punica granatum, formerly in Punicaceae) and of the water caltrop (Trapa natans, formerly in Trapaceae). Lythraceae has a worldwide distribution, with most species in the tropics, but ranging into temperate climate regions as well.
The family is named after the type genus, Lythrum, the loosestrifes (e.g. Lythrum salicaria purple loosestrife) and also includes henna (Lawsonia inermis). It now includes the pomegranate, formerly classed in a separate family Punicaceae. The family also includes the widely cultivated crape myrtle trees. Botanically, the leaves are usually in pairs (opposite), and the flower petals emerge from the rim of the calyx tube. The petals often appear crumpled.