Flowering Plants and Civilization

Coffee The most commonly drunk food in the world. 350 million cups per day Where does it come from? Originally from Ethiopia. Now mostly cultivated in Brazil and Columbia. Two species cultivated. Not beans at all but drupes. How much caffeine is in coffee? A 7-ounce cup contains 115-175 mg caffeine. Instant coffee contains 65-110 mg. Decaffeinated instant contains 2-3 mg. Why do people drink it? Caffeine is a mild stimulant. It increases heart rate, respiration, and basal metabolic rate. It also increases stomach acid and urine. Will make you feel less fatigued and will make you more alert and focused for a short time. Doesn t seem to be harmful in small doses.

Caffeine Content

Caffeine in Soft Drinks (for comparison)

Origin of Cultivated Plants Cultivated Plants appear to have originated in six major regions: Chinese Region African Continent South Asia and Pacific Islands North America South and Central America

Major Centers of Cultivated Plants

Chinese Region Bamboo, peach, litchi, walnut, persimmon, ginger, ginseng, gourds, camphor, tea, tung, soybean, buckwheat, horseradish, chinese cabbage, cucumber. Rice most likely came from somewhere else in Asia.

African Region Yam, sorghum, okra, oil palm, baobab, sweet melons, coffee, some cotton, castor bean

South Asia and the Pacific Islands Region Sugar cane, eggplant, mango, banana, citrus fruits, safflower, nutmeg, clove, cardamom, turmeric, black pepper, jute, hemp, coconut, taro, rice, mung bean, sesame, betel nut, onion, jackfruit

South and Central America Region Corn, peanut, white potato, lima bean, common bean, cashew, pineapple, papaya, avocado, red pepper, tomato, cotton, cocaine, amaranth, quinoa, cacao (chocolate), guava, sweet potato, pumpkin, squash, rubber, prickly pear, peyote, chayote, vanilla, sisal, cassava.

North America Region Few cultivated plants originated in North America. The few that are cultivated primarily came from tropical and subtropical areas. Sunflower, cranberry, blueberry, tobacco.

Major Plant Families

Ranunculaceae Family Buttercups Nearly all 1,500 member species are herbaceous. - Most members are at least slightly poisonous.

Fig. 24.3

Lauraceae Family Several important spices: No petals, 6 sepals Cinnamon Cassia Camphor Sassafras Trees Sweet Bay

Papaveraceae Family Most member species are herbs distributed throughout the temperate and subtropical regions north of the equator. Opium Poppies - Morphine and Codeine Heroin - Papaverine and and Noscapine Note: The seeds of opium poppies contain virtually no opium. It is very rare to fail a drug test, but it is possible.

Brassicaceae Family Four flower petals are arranged in a cross. Nearly all 2,500 species are herbs distributed primarily throughout the temperate and cooler regions of North America. Many cultivated edible plants. - Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Radish, Turnip, Horseradish, Watercress, and Rutabaga.

Shepherd s Purse Copyright McGraw-Hill Companies Permission Required for Reproduction or Display

Rose Family Rosaceae Family Includes more than 3,000 species. - Family is subdivided into subfamilies on the basis of flower structure and fruits. Enormous economic impact. - Garden Ornamentals - Fragrances - Hips Vitamin C

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Fabaceae Family Legume Family Third largest of flowering plant families. - 13,000 members. - Many important crop plants. Peas Beans Peanuts Alfalfa Carob

Papilionaceous Flowers

Spurge Family Euphorbiaceae Family Widespread in temperature regions both north and south of the equator. - Several economically important plants. Cassava Para Rubber Tree

Cactaceae Family The Cactus Family Potentially more than 1,500 species. - Most occur in dry, subtropical regions. - Usually showy flowers. - Most have edible fruit.

Lamiaceae Family Mint Family Easy to distinguish because of a unique combination of angular stems that are square in cross section, opposite leaves, and bilaterally symmetrical flowers. - Mint oils have been used medicinally and as an antiseptic in different parts of the world. Menthol

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Solanaceae Family Nightshade Family Belladonna drug complex. - Atropine - Scopalamine Capsicum Jimson Weed Tobacco Tomatoes

Harvesting Tomatoes

The White Russet Potato (Not from Idaho!)

Angel s Trumpet

Apiaceae Family Carrot Family Approximately 2,000 members. - Dill - Celery - Carrot - Parsley - Caraway - Coriander Copyright McGraw-Hill Companies Permission Required for Reproduction or Display

Pumpkin Family Cucurbitaceae Family Includes many important edible plants. - Many have been cultivated for so long they are unknown in a wild state. Pumpkins Squash Cucumbers Cantaloupes

Squash Flower

Asteraceae Family Sunflower Family Second largest flowering plant family. - Individual flowers - florets.

Composite Head

Poaceae Family Grass Family Highly specialized flowers. Contains nearly all cereals. Sugar Cane Citronella Fibers Copyright McGraw-Hill Companies Permission Required for Reproduction or Display

Liliaceae Family Lily Family Approximately 4,550 members. - Occur in almost any area supporting vegetation. Asparagus Sarsaparilla Meadow Saffron (colchicine) Aloe Onions and Garlic

Tiger Lily

Sansevieria Plants

California Soaproot

Asparagus

Aloe Vera

Orchid Family Orchidaceae Family Very large family with > 35,000 species. - Widely distributed with diverse habitats. - Flowers are exceptionally varied in size and form. - Vanilla Copyright McGraw-Hill Companies Permission Required for Reproduction or Display

THE END! This is the end of Botany! Prepare yourself for the Final Exam! Don t forget to hand in your Plant Collection! Thanks for being a great class!