Stylidiaceae

Taxobox
name = Stylidiaceae


image_width = 220px
image_caption = "Stylidium amoenum"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Asterales
familia = Stylidiaceae
familia_authority = R. Br.
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision =
*"Forstera"
*"Levenhookia"
*"Oreostylidium"
*"Phyllachne"
*"Stylidium"
synonyms =Candolleaceae F.Muell.

The family Stylidiaceae is a taxon of dicotyledonous flowering plants. It consists of five genera with over 240 species, most of which are endemic to Australia and New Zealand. Members of Stylidiaceae are typically grass-like herbs or small shrubs and can be perennials or annuals. Most species are free standing or self-supporting, though a few can be climbing or scrambling ("Stylidium scandens" uses leaf tips recurved into hooks to climb).

The pollination mechanisms of "Stylidium" and "Levenhookia" are unique and highly specialized. In "Stylidium" the floral column that consists of the fused stamen and style springs violently from one side (usually under the flower) when triggered, which deposits the pollen on a visiting insect. In "Levenhookia", however, the column is immobile, but the hooded labellum is triggered and sheds pollen.

In 1981, only about 155 species were known in the family. [cite book | last = Cronquist | first = Arthur | year = 1981 | title = An Integrated System of Classification of Flowering Plants | pages=pp. 986-987 | location = New York | publisher = Columbia University Press | isbn = 0-231-03880-1 ] The current number of species by genus (reported in 2002) is as follows: "Forstera" - 5, "Levenhookia" - 10, "Oreostylidium" - 1, "Phyllachne" - 4, and "Stylidium" - 221. These numbers, especially for "Stylidium", are changing rapidly as new species are described.Wagstaff, S.J. and Wege, J. (2002). Patterns of diversification in New Zealand Stylidiaceae. "American Journal of Botany", 89(5): 865-874. (Available online: [http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/89/5/865 HTML] or [http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/reprint/89/5/865 PDF] versions).]

Taxonomy

The genus "Donatia" is sometimes included in Stylidiaceae in the monogeneric subfamily Donatioideae. The APG II system recommends its inclusion in Stylidiaceae but allows for the optional recognition of the family Donatiaceae. [http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/Research/APweb/orders/asteralesweb.htm#Stylidiaceae Stylidiaceae] (at the [http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/Research/APweb Angiosperm Phylogeny Website] )] Molecular and phylogenetic analysis have determined that "Donatia" is a sister-group to Stylidiaceae and therefore placing "Donatia" in its own family has been recommended by several articles. Including "Donatia" within the Stylidiaceae would endanger its status as a monophyletic group.Laurent, N., Bremer, B., and Bremer, K. (1999). Phylogeny and generic interrelationships of the Stylidiaceae (Asterales), with a possible extreme case of floral paedomorphosis. "Systematic Botany", 23(3): 289-304.] APG II places Stylidiaceae and Donatiaceae in the Asterales order. The Cronquist system placed both families in the Campanulales order. The Takhtajan and Reveal systems place both families in the order Stylidiales. The Dahlgren system uses the same Stylidiales order, but it omits Donatiaceae. The Thorne system shifts Stylidiaceae into the Saxifragales order.

References

External links

* [http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/stylidia.htm Stylidiaceae Family Description]