Study of Family Plumbaginaceae

Study of Family Plumbaginaceae

Systematic position/ Classifications:

Venation reticulate, 2 cotyledons                                        Class- Dicotyledons

Corolla partially / completely

fused                                                                                       Subclass- Gamopetalae

Stamens in two or more series

as per petals, epipetalous, ovary

superior, carpels more than two                                        Series- Heteromerae

Stamens equal to petals, ovary

with 2-many locules                                                              Order- Primulales

Flowers fragrant, corolla rotate,

stamens epipetalous, fruits berry                                       Family- Plumbaginaceae

Distribution: Mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical parts of the world.

Note: Plumbago zeylanica is commonly known as Ceylon leadwort, doctor bush or wild leadwort.

Description:

Habit- Plants are herbaceous

Stem- glabrous stems, climbing, prostrate, or erect.

Leaves- are petiolate or sessile, ovate, lanceolate, elliptic or spatulate to oblanceolate 5-9 × 2.5–4 cm. Bases attenuate; apex acute, acuminate or obtuse.

Inflorescences- Flowers in 3–15 cm long spike and have glandular, viscid rachises. Bracts are lanceolate, 3-7 × 1–2 mm long. The heterostylous flowers have white corollas 17–33 mm in diameter and tubes 12.5–28 mm in length.

Fruits- Capsules, 7.5–8 mm long, with reddish brown to dark brown seeds

Current Status: Species of plumbago with apantropical distribution. Carl Linnaeus described the paleotropical P. zeylanica and neotropical P. scandens as separate species, but they are currently considered synonymous.