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EXERCISE 12
CORE EUDICOTS: CARYOPHYLLIDS AND ROSIDS

Group 3 DOOMSHROOMS:
Awit, Daisy M.
Duro, Carina Emerald Gee U.
Ruaya, Vrginia Grace G.
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I. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

Core eudicot group was not originally identified based on morphological
evidence, but subsequent research has identified several key events that correspond
closely to the origin of the core eudicots, including the evolution of flowers organized in
a predictable manner and a stable number of parts, a clear differentiation of sepals, and
petals, twice the number of stamens. Petals in the core eudicots have the same
morphological affinities and structures as sepals and bracts, with a few notable
exception (Ronse De Craene, 2008). In very general terms, they can be classified by
their flowers which typically have a perianth composed of a distinct calyx and corolla,
and a whorled, predominantly pentamorous organization. The flowers may have the
same number of organs in all whorls (Friis et. al, 2011).
Core eudicot is a well-supported clade that includes the orders Gunnerales,
Saxifragales, Vitales, Dilleniales, Berberidopsidales, Santalales, and Caryophyllales,
plus two large groups, the Rosids and Asterids. In this exercise, we take responsible to
have further inquiry upon the core eudicots specifically the groups: Caryophyllids and
Rosids. Under the Caryophyllids group are the following family from order
Caryophyllales:

Nyctaginaceae,

Polygonaceae

and

Portulaceae

(species

and

characteristics will be further discussed). Under the Rosids group are the following
order: Myrtales, Cucurbitales, Sapindales, Brassicales, Fabales, Malpighiales, Malvales,
Fagales, and Rosales (family, species and characteristics of each will be further
discussed).
In this exercise, characteristics such as habit, root system, stem, leaf type,
arrangement and venation, inflorescence or solitary, floral symmetry (actinomorphic,
zygomorphic or assymetrical), number of sepals, petals, anther and stigma, ovary
position (epigynous, perigynous, or hypogynous) and fruit type, are being determined in
every species.
Order

Caryophyllales

from

Caryophyllids,

contain

34

families,

most

corresponding to the traditional Centrospermea. The placement of the Caryophyllales

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within the eudicots is said to be varied, but it appears to be more closely related to the
Asterids than to the Rosids. Centrospermea is a descripted name which means with
the seed in the center, referring to the free-central placentation or basal placentation.
Many, but not all, members of Caryophyllales possess pollen that is trinucleate upon
being released from the anther, which is relatively rare feature in angiosperms. The
Nyctaginaceae or the four-oclock family, Bougainvillea spectabilis as its representative
species, consist of dioecious trees, shrubs, lianas or herbs. The stems are often with
anomalous secondary growth, with concentric rings of vascular bundles, alternating in
layer. The flowers are bracteates in some. The B. spectabilis has a taproot system,
herbaceous stem, alternate arrangement and reticulate venation of leaves, terminal or
axilliary inflorescence, actinomorphic floral symmetry, epigynous position of the ovary,
consist of an achene fruit type and presence of spines or thorns (Mauseth, 2014).
The Polygonaceae or Buckwheat family has 43-46 genera, consist of annual or
perennial herbs, shrubs, lianas, vines, or trees. Swollen nodes often occur in stems.
Spiral, simple, stipulate or exstipulate in leaves. The inflorescence in this family consist
of involucrate fasciculate units, the fascicles arranged in various branche or unbranched
secondary inflorescences. The flowers are hypogynous, bisexual or unisexual, small,
actinomorphic and pedicellate, pedicels are often articulated above. Antigonon
leptopus, the representative species of Polygonaceae family, has a vine or bush habit,
taproot system, lignaceous stem, a megaphyll leaf type, alternate arrangement and
reticulate venation, unlike other species of this family it is solitary, actinomorphic floral
symmetry, about two to six sepals, five petals, multiple anther and often three stigma, its
fruit type is achene and has edible parts. The anthers in this family are versatile,
longitudinal and intorse in dehiscence. The gynoecium are syncarpous, with a superior
ovary. Nectaries are often present, which consist of a necteriferous disk or nectary pads
at base of the stamens (Simpson, 2010).
The last family to be discussed in order Caryophyllales is the Portulaceae or the
purslane family which consist of nineteen genera and five hundred species worldwide. It
is bisexual, actinomorphic floral symmetry, inflorescence: usually cyme although some
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are solitary, has two unequal bracts which could be either distinct or connate, has four
to six usually five tepals which is overlapping and uniseriate or in single series and has
a capsule fruit. Portulaca amilis is used as a representative species for this group, it has
a vine habit, a taproot system, megaphyll leaf type with alternate arrangement and
reticulate venation, it is solitary, actinomorphic symmetry, mostly five petals, five sepals,
multiple anther, three to six stigma, hypogynous ovary position, an achene fruit type and
consists of edible parts (Bayer, 2002).
The Rosids, being the next group discussed, is a very large group of eudicots.
No clear nonmolecular apomorphies unite the Rosids. According to Simpson (2010),
members tend to have perianths with unfused parts and a stamen merosity (or the
number of component parts) greater than that of a calyx or corolla, but there are many
exceptions too. Generally, they have bitegmic, meaning having two integuments,
crassinucellate ovule (an ovule which one or more layers of cells, not epidermally
derived, separate the megasporocyte/embryo sac from the epidermis).
Several orders are discussed under the Rosids group in this exercise. These are
the Myrtales, Cucurbitales, Sapindales, Brassicales, Fabales, Malpighiales, Malvales,
Fagales and Rosales.
Under the order Myrtales is the representative species P. guajava from the
Myrtaceae or the Myrtle family. This family consists of one hundred thirty-one genera.
They consists of hermaphroditic trees and shrubs. The roots possess ectotropic
mycchorhizae. They have stems that have secretory cavities and internal phloem in the
pith. Their leaves are usually opposite or spiral, it is rarely whorled and simple. The
flowers are bisexual, actinomorphic in symmetry, bracteate, and rarely perigynous. The
representative species, Psidium guajava, we characterized it as having tree as habit,
woody stem, megaphyll leaf type with alternate arrangement and net-likevenation. It has
four to five petals and sepals, multiple anthers and a stigma, the ovary position is
epigynous, it has a hesperidium fruit type and it is glandular (Ronse De Craene, 2010).

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From the Order Cucurbitales, under the Cucurbitaceae or the gourd family which
has one hundred eighteen genera. Members of this family grows fast, has long-stlked
palmate leaves that alternate along the stem. Most species have unisexual flowers,
which are borne on the leaf axils and have white or yellow petals. The fruit in most
species is a fleshy, many-seeded berry with a tough rind, often attaining considerable
size. The seeds are flattened and sometimes have beautiful wings.The representative
species Cucurbita pepo, has a vine habit, taproot system,herbaceous atem, megaphylly
leaf type, alternate arrangement and palmate venation, it is solitary, actinomorphic floral
symmetry, mostly composed of five petals, five sepals, six anther and three to five
stigma, its ovary postion is epigynous, it has a pepo fruit type and other features include
hairy stems (Kurbitzki, 2010).
From the order Sapindales, under the Rutaceae or rue/citrus family consisting of
trees, shrubs, lianas or rarely herbs. The stem of some have thorns. The representative
species, Citrus maxima, has a tree habit, taproot system, woody stem, megaphylly leaf
type, alternate arrangement and compound venation. It is solitary and has
actinomorphic symmetry. Mostly contain four to five sepals, four to five petals, eight to
ten anther and two to five stigma, its ovary position is hypogynous, a hesperidium fruit
type, and has swollen trichomes termed juice sacs (Kurbitzki, 2010).
From the order Brassicales, under the Caricaceae or papaya family comprising of
thirty-five genera. The most popular representative is the Carica papaya. All species can
produce latex that can either be white or yellow. Leaves vary from entire to deeply lobed
or palmate (Carvalho, 2013). This species has a tree habit, taproot system, herbaceous
stem, megaphylly leaf type, spiral arrangement and net-like venation, inflorescence and
actinomorphic floral symmetry. It consists of five sepals, five petals, two to ten anther
and multiple stigma. It has a hypogynous ovary position, and hesperidium fruit type and
its other features includes excretion of sap or latex (Moore et. al, 2001).
From the order Fabales, under the Fabaceae or commonly known as the legume,
pea, or bean family is the representative species Rudica sp. This family are distinctive in
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being trees, shrubs, vines, or herbs, with stipulate, often compound leaves and typically
pentamerous flowers and the fruit, a legume. The representatice species Rudica sp. has
an herb habit, taproot system, pricky or branched stem, megaphylly leaf type, alternate
arrangement and net-like venation, it is solitary, an actinomorphic floral symmetry, which
consists of four sepals, five petals, multiple anthers and one stigma, its fruit type is
legumes, and it has an edible seed (Simpson, 2010).
From the order Malpighiales, under the Euphorbiaceae or the spurge family is the
representative species Euphorbia hirta. This family is distinctive in having unisexual
flowers with a superior, usually 3-carpellate ovary with one ovule per carpel, apical-axile
in placentation, many taxa with red, yellow or usually white milky latex. The E. hirta
has a weed habit, taproot system, herbaceous stem, palmate venation, inflorescence,
actinomorphic symmetry, no sepals, no petals, one anther, and mostly six stigma, it has
a hypogynous ovary position and its other feature includes being monoecious
(Kaubitzki, 2010).
From the order Malvales, under the Malvaceae or the mallow family is the
representative species Theobroma cacao. This family consist of usually hermaphroditic
trees, shrubs or herbs, often with either stellate trichomes or peltate scales. The leaves
are simple or palmately compound, sometimes lobed to divided, palmately or pinnately
veined, usually spiral and stipulate, the stipules often caducous. The T. cacao has a tree
habit, aerial or hairy stem, alternate arrangement, venation is palmate, solitary and
actinomorphic floral symmetry consisting of five sepals, five petals, multiple anthers and
one stigma. Its ovary position is epigynous, its fruit type is follicle, and it has edible,
hairy leaves (Mauseth, 2014).

From the order Fagales, under the Casaurinaceae or the beefwood family is the
representative species Casaurina equisitofolia. Members of this order are largely
monoecious and wind pollinated. C.equisitofolia are species with a tree habit, taproot
system, woody stem, megaphyll leaf type, alternate arrangement, venation which are
reduced to tiny scales, inflorescence, actinomorphic symmetry, there are two sepals in
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males, many petals, many anther and one stigma, it is hypogynous, its fruit type is
cone-like or achenes, and it is monoecious (Simpson, 2010).
From the order Rosales, under the Moraceae or the mulberry family or fig family
is the representative species is the Artocarpus hertophyllus. Members of this family
consist of monoecious or dioecious trees, shrubs, lianas, and herbs. A. heterophyllus
are species that has a tree habit, taproot system, woody stem, megaphyll leaf type,
alternate arrangement, and net-like venation. It has a solitary flower with no symmetry,
often with one sepal in males, no petal, four anthers, and one stigma. It is also
hypogynous with hesperidium fruit type and it also has a distinct aroma (Zerega, 2005).

III. CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATION

This exercise focused on Caryophyllids and Rosids which are core eudicots.
The representative order of the Caryophyllids is the Order Caryophyllales which
includes the Family Nyctaginaceae (Bougainvillea), Family Polygonacea (Antigonon),
and Family Portulacaceae (Portulaca).
Under the Rosids are Order Myrtales, which includes the Family Myrtaceae
(Psidium guajava), Order Cucurbitales, which includes the Family Cucurbitaceae
(Cucurbita), Order Sapindales, which includes the Family Rutaceae (Citrus), Order
Brassicales, which includes the Family Caricaceae (Carica papaya), Order Fabales,
which includes Family Fabaceae/Leguminosae (Mimosa, Caesaplinia, Crotalaria, or
Sabania), Order Malpighiales, which includes Family Euphorbiaceae (Euphorbia hirta,
Jatropha podagrica), Order Malvales, which includes Family Malvaceae (Hibiscus
esculentus, Theobroma cacao, Corchorus clitorius, Ceiba pentranda), Order Fagales,
which includes Family Casuarinaceae (Casuarina equisetifolia) and Order Rosales,
which includes Family Moraceae (Artocarpus, Morus).
The Caryophyllids has many derived characters but one is especially important.
Such as the production of water-soluble pigments betalains on their flowers, whereas
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other flowering plants have anthocyanin pigments. The ancestral group of caryophyllids
may have lacked petals but many species of this group have petals now, although their
petals are thought to be not homologous or some appear to be modified sepals and
stamens. Caryophyllids are believed to have derived from the herbaceous family
Ranunculaceae. The members of this group are mostly herbaceous, with either no
wood, very little wood, or unusual, anomalous wood. Some members that are large
trees typically have anomalous secondary growth but because these plants evolved
from herbaceous ancestor, their wood are snot strictly homologous.
One important character in Rosids is the presence of pinnately compound
leaves. Although, some species have simple leaves, these apparently have arisen from
compound leaves. Though simple leaves are an early condition of Division
Magnoliophyta, they are derived condition for Rosids.
We recommend that we also study the morphological parts of dicot angiosperms
so that we can understand the evolutionary trends of both Cryophyllids and Rosids. This
will help us to appreciate the phylogeny and importance of core eudicots, particularly
the caryophyllids and rosids.

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IV. LITERATURE CITED

Bayer, C., and O. Appel. 2002. Tropaeolaceae. In: Kubitzki, K. (ed.), The Families
and Genera of Vascular Plants. V. Flowering Plants. Dicotyledons. Malvales,
Capparales and Non-betalain Caryophyllales. Pp. 400404. Springer,
Berlin.
Carvalho FA. 2013 onwards. e-Monograph of Caricaceae. Version 1, November
2013. http://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/caricaceae. Date accessed: May 12,
2015
Friis, Else M., Peter R. Crane and Pederson, Kaj Raunsgaard. 2011. Early
Flowers and Angiosperm Evolution. UK: Cambridge University Press. Pg. 301312

Kubitzki, Klaus. 2010. Flowering Plants. Eudicots: Sapindales, Cucurbitales,

Myrtaceae. Vol. 10. Springer Heidelberg Dordrecht London New York. Pg 221230.

Mauseth, James D. 2014. Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology.

https://books.google.co.in/books?
id=0BGEs95p5EsC&dq=rosids&source=gbs_n avlinks_s. Pg. 395. Date
retrieved: May 12, 2015.

Simpson, Micheal G. 2010. Plant Systematics. 2 nd ed. The Boulevard, Langford

Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1GB, UK: Elsever Inc. Pp. 295,
Ronse De Craene, Louis P. 2008. Homology and evolution of petals in the core
eudicots. Systematic Botany. American Society of Plant Taxonomists. Vol.
33 (2).
pp. 301-325.
Zerega, N. J. C., W. L. Clement, S. L. Datwyler, and G. D. Weiblen. 2005.
Biogeography
and divergence times in the mulberry family (Moraceae).
Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 37: 402416.