Caryophyllaceae
The Caryophyllaceae are herbs or rarely subshrubs comprising about 75 genera and 2,000 species further characterized by p-plastids and usually swollen nodes. The leaves are simple, nearly always opposite and decussate, and are estipulate or sometimes have scarious stipules. The flowers are actinomorphic and mostly bisexual. Although the corolla rarely may be absent, the perianth typically consists of a calyx of 5 connate sepals and a corolla of 5 distinct, frequently clawed petals. The stamens are in one or two whorls, either equaling or twice the number of petals. The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 2-5 carpels, usually with an equal number of styles and with a superior ovary that has a single locule with numerous free central ovules. In some cases the ovary is 3-5 loculed with axile placentation basally and l-loculed with free central placentation above. Occasionally, there may be a single basal ovule. The fruit most commonly is capsular.
Each "thumbnail" image below is linked to a larger photograph.
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Arenaria
sp, sandwort. |
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Cerastium arvense
, field chickweed, vic. Newport, OR, 2002.
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Cerastium fontanum
subsp
. vulgare,
mouse-eared chickweed. This typical representative of the family has five sepals, five bilobed petals, 10 stamens in two whorls, and 5 styles.
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Dianthus caryophyllus,
sweet william. Note the swollen nodes with
opposite leaves and the tubular calyx. Five styles and 10 stamens are pres
ent in this species. The cut away view in
the third photo shows the long basal claw on the remaining petal. The ovary has been longitudinally sectioned to show the free central placentation in the single locule.
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Drymaria cordata
, pipili, pilipili. Note the very deeply bilobed petals, 3 styles.
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Moehringia macrophylla
, bigleaf sandwort, vic. Umpqua, OR, April, 2004.
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Sagina maxima
subsp.
crassicaulis
, seacoast pearlwort, Hadfield Marine Science Center, OR, October 21, 2005.
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Schiedea adamantis.
This is one of several species in this Hawaiian endemic genus. The species show an interesting e
volutionary modification toward the dioe
cious condition. The plant in the 2nd photo has flowers that are perfect while the plants in the 3rd and 4th photos are functionally female with very reduced stamens (staminodes) and well-develo
ped pistils. Note the three well developed styles on each pistil.
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Schiedea globosa
, flowers functionally unisexual or sometimes perfect, O'ahu, Hawai'i, endemic genus. |
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Sc
hie
dea k
ealiae
, flowers functionally unisexual, Kealia Trail, O'ahu, Hawai'i, endemic genus. |
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Silene hookeri
, Indian pink, OR, 2003. |
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Si
lene struthioloides
, catchfly, Hawaiian endemic. |
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Sp
ergularia marina
, salt-marsh sand-spurrey. |
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Stellaria media
, chickweed. |
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