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Pontederiaceae

This family is composed of mainly aquatic and semi-aquatic species, some of which are serious weeds.

Water hyacinth is an aquatic weed which is clogging and deoxygenating the waterways of southern Florida and many other tropical areas. It was introduced in the 1920's from an accidental introduction of a horticultural colony obtained from South America. The plant produces beautiful lavender purple flowers in summer. It has interesting gas bladders, which help to keep it afloat. Fortunately, it is a favorite food plant of manatees, which are endangered.

Strelitziaceae

The Bird-of-Paradise family is very small, with only a few species and primarily from South Africa. It takes its name from the bird-like inflorescences produced in profusion by the plant. Most species are pollinated by birds or primates, which perch on the inflorescences and probe the flowers for pollen and nectar.

The orange, blue and white bird-of-paradise inflorescence is produced by a shrub-like form grown widely in tropical and subtropical areas for the colorful flowers. This plant is the official flower of the City of Los Angeles.

Zingiberaceae

The ginger family, also widely grown in the tropics includes many important spices and herbs as well as popular horticultural forms. The rhizomes are often fleshy and the stems cane-like. Zingiber officianale is the ginger rhizome found in the produce section of grocery stores and used in Asian cooking.

The shell ginger plant produces beautiful sprays of pink, white and yellow flowers in summer. It is a widely cultivated species, native to tropical Asia and Polynesia.

Economically important source of cardamom, used widely in baked goods. The leaves are very fragrant when bruised.

Dicots

Annonaceae

The primitive custard apple family is mainly tropical, with one representative in the U.S., the pond apple, Annona glabra. Several species and cultivars are grown for their tasty fruit.

Economically important tropical fruit; looks like a hand grenade. Has creamy delicious flesh with flavor a combination of banana and strawberry. The seeds are large and black.

Araliaceae

Primarily Old World family of trees and shrubs, most with palmately compound leaves. Most species are temperate or subtropical.

Common houseplant, grown as a hedge in tropical areas. The inflorescence is unusual, consisting of "umbrella spokes" with red flowers. The leaves are palmately compound.

Species superficially similar to Schefflera but with more elliptic leaflet shape and narrow apices. The venation pattern is also quite divergent.

Asclepiadaceae

The milkweed family is a large, diverse family. Most members are vines or perennial herbs. The typical fruit is a follicle with tufted airborne seeds. Flowers are unusual and complex, while pollen is coalesced into pollinaria.

Succulent from South Africa. The plants look superficially like cacti, showing convergent evolution. The flowers are meat and hair mimics. The scent is similar to a decaying carcass or gas leak. Flies are the most common pollinators.

Waxy, Glossy leaved vine with tubular, white, waxy, fragrant flowers often used in wedding bouquets.

Begoniaceae

The begonia family consists of mainly shrubs and herbs. A few tropical tree species exist. Most grow in shade or subdued light.

Reliable bloomer. Good for propagation. Interesting variegated foliage. Good subject for slide making of herbaceous dicot stem anatomy.

Also a reliable bloomer and excellent for dicot anatomy. These cultivars are derived from rain forest floor species which are able to grow in reduced light.

Bombacaceae

The bombax family is related to the hibiscus (Malvaceae) and chocolate (Sterculiaceae) families. Often these trees are very tall and may be the only specimens remaining when rain forest is destroyed by slash-and-burn agriculture. Most have leaves that are palmately compound and flowers with numerous stamens that are often borne on the trunks of the trees (caulflory).

This tree produces silky hairs on the many seeds. These hairs may be used in textiles. The tree may be grown as a small bonsai or, with more water, as a tall specimen.

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