Notes Oct 21

• About 3000 species, widespread around world
• W&K p. 277
• Subclass Asteridae
• Herbs, shrubs, vines. In tropics, some trees
• Leaves alternate. (sometimes leaves crowded, appearing some opposite) Mostly simple, sometimes dissected or compound.
• Flowers perfect, mostly radially symmetric. Calyx generally 5-merous, (5 sepals), these at least partially fused.
• Corolla 5-merous.
• Stamens 5, alternating with the petals.
• Anthers sometimes open by terminal pores, rather than by slits (usual).
• Gynoecium a compound pistil made up of 2, 3 or more carpels.
• Ovary always superior. Fruit a capsule (Jimson weed0 or berry (tomato, eggplant, potato).
• Many poisonous members, due to wide assortment of alkaloids often present. Henbane, tobacco, nightshade, belladonna, etc.
• Many are useful as food sources. Tomato, potato, eggplant, tomatillo, hot peppers, bell peppers, etc.
• Many ornamental species…very showy flowers.