ANGIOSPERMAE

Department of Botany
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
Zaria, Nigeria.
Course Code: BOTY 424
Course Title: Angiospermae
Credit unit: 3
Alternation of Generation

Description of selected families from monocot and Dicot and their economic importance

Traditionally, plants are mainly divided into two types; flowering and non-flowering plant.
Around 80% of all existing green plants are flowering plants. These flowering plants have been
divided into two main categories; the monocot (Liliopsida) and dicot (Magniliopsida). In general,
monocot can be categorized by their single seed leaf, parallel-veined leaves, three parts flowers
or multiples of three, fibrous and adventitious root system and stem with scattered vascular
bundle. There are between 50,000 and 60,000 species within this group from 44 families.
Examples of monocot include lilies, grasses, bananas, gingers, corn, rice, palms, onions and
orchids, etc.

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 1
Dicots are a group of flowering plants whose seed typically has two embryonic leaves or
cotyledons. Flower parts in four’s or five’s (or multiple of these), vascular bundles in concentric
circles, possess reticulate (net) venation leaf and tap root system. There are around 199,000
species within this group from 213 families. Examples include beans, peas, Hibiscus, cotton tree,
Tamarind etc.

Fig 1: showing the differences between monocot and dicot

Description of Selected Monocot Families

Poaceae (Formerly known as Gramineae), derived from the greek

Taxonomic Position of Poaceae

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Order: poales

Family: Poaceae

Distribution and Abundance

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 2
This is the grass family- The fifth (5 th) largest family of higher plants with very large collection
of some 668 genera and 11,000 species distributed almost in every possible kind of environment.
In fact, 25% of the world vegetation belongs to the grass family. Most are annual, perennial
herbs with occasional woody forms (example bamboos). Poaceae includes
the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and cultivated lawns and
pasture.
Vegetative Characteristics

Member of the grass family, the poaceae are usually herbaceous. The stem also called culms are
often hollow between nodes and usually unbranched. Many species may also have horizontal
stems (either above ground- stolons or underground- rhizome) that can propagate the plant
vegetatively by giving rise to new shoots. The primary root system is fibrous and adventitious
root may also form either from lower nodes of erect stem (as prop roots) or from rhizome or
stolons. They have linear leaves with parallel venation. Leaves are usually alternatively arranged,
and the base of each leaf form a sheath that wraps around the stem below the leaf blade with an
adaxial erect appendages at sheath/blade junction called ligule. Some grasses may possess tillers
which is variable within the cereals, as many as 40 have been counted in millet and maize has
not produced any tiller.

Fig 2: Grass vegetative characteristics

Grass inflorescence

The inflorescence of grasses can be raceme, spike or panicle; the spikelet is the basic unit of
grass inflorescence with one or more florets arranged along its rachilla making up the spikelet.
The spikelet is subtended by two sterile bracts known as glumes. The lower, outer glume called

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 3
the first, and the upper, inner one called the second. Just above the glumes, there is series of
florets, partly enclosed by them. The spikelet structure is highly useful in identification of grass
species and genera for example rice and its relatives do not produce glumes.

rachis

Fig 3: Grass inflorescence

Floral morphology
Each floret consist of flower that is enclosed by two fertile bracts, with the larger bract, the
lemma enclosing the usually smaller bract termed the palea. Often a slender bristle can be seen
extending from a glume or a lemma (occasionally the palea), this structure is known as awn.
Flowers of the grass family are highly reduced, some unisexual or bisexual, zygomorphic, and
incomplete with lodicules replacing the parianth (mostly two) or lacking completely. Stamens
are usually 3 or 6 with single ovule and two styles and feathery stigmas. Ovary is superior.
Flora formular of grass:

Fig 4: grass floral morphology

Fruit Morphology

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 4
The grass fruit are one seeded, indehiscent and dry, it has one peculiarity in that the ovary wall
(pericarp) becomes fused to the testa of the seed within, and such a fruit is known as caryopsis or
grain. The bracts that surround the flower now surround the grain and are called chaff. The outer
wall of the grain is called bran; interior to the bran is aleurone layer. The seed also possess
cotyledon, endosperm, coleorhiza and coleoptile surrounding the germ (embryo).

Fig 5: fruit morphology of grasses

Some important Genera/Species of grasses

Many cereals belong in the family- Zea mays (maize corn), Sorghum bicolor (Guinea corn),
Pennisetum americanum (millet), Oryza sativa (rice), Eleucine coracana (finger millet), Oats
(Avena sativa), Barley (Hordeum sp), and wheat (Tritichum aestivum). Saccharum officinarum
(Sugar cane) is also a member of this family. Various wild grasses such as Hyparrhenia sp
(thatching grass), Pennisetum pedicellatum (kyasuwa grass), Cyanodon dactylon (bahama grass),
Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass), Panicum maximum (guinea grass) are also member of
poaceae family.

Botanical Description of Zea mays

Zea mays L. (Maize) is an annual erect herbaceous plant that can grow up to 2-3 meters in
height, it possess fibrous root. The stem and leaf morphology is typical of grasses.

Maize Flower and Inflorescence

Zea mays is larger than other cereals and is unusual for being monoecious diclinous i.e. having
separate terminal staminate and axillary pistillate inflorescence on the same plant.

The pistillate inflorescence is borne on lateral stalk (shank or peduncle) which gives rise to ear of
corn. The entire ear is tightly covered with specialized bracts known as husk. The central rachis
of each pistillate inflorescence called cob is thick and is surrounded by several pistillate spikelets
that are densely bunch together subtended by short fleshy glumes. Each pistillate spikelet has one

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 5
fertile floret and one infertile floret subtended by short lemma and palea, the florets also possess
an ovary with a pair of styles. These styles are collectively referred to as the “silk” which
elongate towards the tip of the cob (axis of the ear). Pistillate florets are replaced by kernels after
fertilization.

The staminate inflorescences also called tassel are arranged in panicle with each floret consisting
of three stamens surrounded by bracts. The tassel consists of tassel rachis, tassel branch, tassel
spikelet and the peduncle. These are important in the production of much pollen.

Fig 6: Inflorecence of maize

Floral formular of maize; Male: female:

Maize Fruit

The fruit of maize is caryopsis, a dry indehiscent single seeded fruit. The pericarp (ovary wall)
and testa (seed coat) are fused to form the fruit wall and because of this tight adhesion between
fruit and seed, the two structures appear to be single structure. This structure is commonly
referred to by a number of interchangeable terms; fruit, kernel, grain and seed. The kernel is
composed of three parts- the embryo, the endosperm and the fruit wall

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 6
Fig 8: maize kernel

Types of Corn

Several types of corn are grown today and can be characterized mainly by the nature of the
starch present in the endosperm. Starch has two component, amylose (unbranched chain of
glucose) and amylopectin (highly branch chain of glucose). Hard starch has a higher percentage
of amylose than those of soft starch. The types of corn are classified as popcorn, flint, flour, dent,
sweet, waxy and pod.
Popcorn (Zea mays var. Everta)
This is the oldest Zea mays with extremely hard kernels. It has a hard starch surrounding a core
of soft starch. The endosperm cells in the center contain a large percentage of water, upon
heating, the water turns to steam, building up pressure in the kernel. At certain stage the whole
kernel explodes and turns inside out (pop). This trait is useful because heating made the grain
edible without the need for grinding.
Flint Corn (Zea mays var. Indurata)
This corn has hard starch near the outer part of the kernel and soft starch in the center. Kernels
are mostly rounded, the color of the kernel range from white to red. It is mainly for food.
Flour Corn (Zea mays var. amylacea)
It has a similar appearance to flint corn except that it has a softer endosperm that makes it easier
to grind. This softer endosperm also makes the kernel more susceptible to disease attack.
Dent Corn (Zea mays var. indenata)
It has both hard and soft starch, with the hard starch along the sides and soft restricted to the
center. Upon drying, the kernels show a characteristics dent as the soft starch shrinks. It is
primary useful as animal feed, corn starch and corn meal.
Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. rugosa)
It has sweet tasting kernel as a result of high concentration of sugar instead of starch in the cells
of endosperm which could be due to one or more recessive mutation blocking conversion of
sugar to starch. The kernels are translucent, horned and less wrinkled in appearance. The sweet
testa kernels are popular vegetable, either fresh on cob, canned or frozen.
Waxy Corn (Zea mays var. ceratina)
It is a glossy, wax-like appearance of the cut kernels that is due to the presence of only
amylopectin in the endosperm instead of normal 70% amylopectin and 30% amylose.
Pod Corn (Zea mays var. tunica)
This is a rare types of corn foun in the field of corn where each kernel is covered by glumes

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 7
Fig 9: Diagram showing different types of corn

Botanical Description of Oryza sativa

The rice is a large multi stalked annual growing to an average height of approximately 1 meter (3
feet) with the typical vegetative appearance of grasses. Each stalk is terminated by a panicle
bearing organs surrounded by bracts. A distinctive characteristic of rice is the presence of air
chambers in the stem that permit the diffusion of air from stomata in the leaves through the stem
and eventually down the stem.

Fig 10: showing the vegetative characters of rice

Tillering in Rice

Tillering (stooling) in rice begins with the emergence of first tiller when seedlings have five
leaves. This first tiller develops between the main stem and the second leaf from the base of the

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 8
plant. Subsequently, when the 6th leaf emerges the second tiller develops between the main stem
and the 3rd leaf from the base. Tillers growing from the main stem are called primary tillers.
These may generate secondary tillers which may in turn generate tertiary tillers. Although the
tillers remain attached to the plant, at a later stage, they are independent because they produce
their own root.

Fig 11: showing tillers in rice

Rice Inflorescence

The major structures of the panicle are the base, axis, primary and secondary branches, pedicel,
redumentary glumes and the spikelets.

Fig 12: Part of rice panicle

Floral morphology

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 9
The flower (floret) is enclosed in the lemma and palea, which may either awned or awneless. The
florets consist of the pistil and six (6) stamens, and the components of the pistil are the two (2)
stigma and styles as well as a single ovary.
Floral formular of rice:

Fig 13: Rice

flower

The Rice Fruit

The rice grain commonly called seed consists of true fruit or brown rice (caryopsis) and the hull,
which encloses the brown rice. Brown rice consists mainly of embryo and endosperm. The palea,
lemma and rachilla constitute the hull of indica rice. In Japanica rice, however the hull usually
includes rudimentary glumes and perhaps a portion of pedicel.

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 10
 Fig 14

Economic importance of Poaceae Family

Grasses are the most economically important plant family. They are important in food
production, industry, landscaping and sports.
Food production
 Some grasses are grown for their edible seeds that provide source of carbohydrates; these
include wheat, rice and corn.
 Some such as sugar cane are rich source of sugar
 Many grasses such as brome grass, foxtail millet, and sorghum are source of fodder to
livestock.
Industry
 Grasses also serve as raw materials for many purposes. For instance
 Grass straw are use in making paper and mats, example rice
 Stem of some grasses serve functions similar to timber in construction example Bamboo
 A special type of sorghum called broom corn is grown for its stiff inflorescence branches
that are used to make brooms
 Phragmites australis is important in thatching roof and can also be use in water treatment
system
 Soap and cosmetics can be manufacture from oil obtained from rice bran
 Oil, starch, flour, meal are also processed from corn kernel.
 The oil from corn can be use as salad oil, cooking oil, while the starch can be used in
laundry starch and ethanol production.

Landscaping and sports

 Most grasses are use in many garden designs, landscaping for their foliage, inflorescence
and seed head, example bunch grass.
 Some are use in football, and other sports field example Cyanodon dactylon, Axonopus
combressus (carpet grass) etc.

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 11
Other important Families of Monocot

These includes;

1. Commelinaceae; example commelina sp

2. Cyperaceae; example Cyperus retundus
3. Zingeberaceae; example Zingiber officinale
4. Palmae (Aracaceae) ; example Hyphaene thabaica
5. Liliaceae; examples Aloe, Asparagus, Chlorophytum
6. Musaceae; example Musa sp

Description of Selected Dicot Families

Fabaceae (Previously known as Leguminoseae)

Distribution and Abundance

Fabaceae derived from Greek word ‘faba’-meaning pod is a legume family. It is the third largest
family of flowering plants and second only to the cereals in economic importance with 730
genera, 19,500 species. It is cosmopolitan in distribution, but the greatest members are found in
the tropic and subtropics. In West Africa, the family is represented by 162 genera and over 700
species. Members of the family can be Mimosoidae, Papilionoidae and Caesalpinoidae based on
the arrangement and structure of the androecium and perianth, collectively called the
androperianth. These plants are important because:
• They fix nitrogen
• They are rich in protein
• They are easily stored and harvested

Mimosoidae

Taxomic position of Mimosaceae family

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: fabales
Family: Mimosaceae

Distribution

It is commonly called Acacia family. It is the smallest of the three of the families of Fabaceae.
There are 56 genera and 2,800 species, They are confined within the tropics and subtropics.

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 12
Vegetative characteristics

Members of this family are Herbs (Mimosa), climbers (Entada) and trees (Acacia, Albizzia) and
hydrophytic (Neptunia oleracea). Many members are xerophytic (Acacia, Prosopis). There
leaves are usually alternate, pinnate (Albizia) or bipinnate (Acacia) compound, stipulate, stipules
may be modified into spines (protection), petiolate; leaflets show movements (Mimosa,
Neptunia).
Inflorescence and flowering

The flowers occur on globose or elongated inflorescence (head). The flowers are usually small,
actinomorphic and hermaphroditic. The flowers are usually white, yellow or pink and
pentamerous. Some are Pedicellate (Acacia) or sessile (Prosopis). They have 5 Sepals
(gamosepalous) and 5 petals that are free (polypetalous) or joined into a tube (gamopetalous) e.g
Parkia. Mimosaceae have valvate aestivation.
Stamens are numerous and free or monadelphous (joined into a staminal tube around the pistil).
Gynoecium is monocarpellary (one carpel and superior).

Floral formular:

stamen

corolla
calyx
Fig 15: inflorescence Fig 16: individual flower

Fruit

The fruit is usually a dehiscent pod (Parkia) but some are indehiscent (Prosopis), some members
have fruit that break into segment containing one or two seeds called lomentum (Mimosa). The
fruit are produce in capitate aggregation.

Common species

 Acacia nilotica
 Mimosa pudica
 Albizia lebbeck
 Prosopis Africana
 Parkia biglobosa

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 13
Economic Importance of Mimosoiceae family

 Industries

 Many trees of this family provide commercially important wood, for example, Acacia,
Albizzia and Xylia. Their wood is used for construction, for furniture or for fuel.
 Gum is obtained from Acacia nilotica and Acacia senegal.
 A dye Katha is obtained from Acacia catechu which serves as host for lac insect.
 The flowers of A. decurrens var. dealbata yield a perfume.
 The bark of Acacia yields tannin which is used in leather tanning.
 The seed of Parkia biglobosa are used in making cake

 Medicine

 The tender leaves of Acacia nilotica are used as blood purifier.

 Ornamental

 Some common plants are grown for their beautiful flowers. Some of these are Mimosa
pudica and Acacia melanoxylon.

 Ecological significance

 A few species of Prosopis are planted in the arid zones for breaking the wind pressure.

Caesalpinaceae

Taxonomic Position of Caesalpinoidae

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: fabales
Family: Caesalpinaceae

Distribution

This family has 152 genera and 2300 species. Most of the members belonging to this family are
tropical and sub-tropical in distribution.
Vegetative characteristics

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 14
The plants show great variations in their habit, they may be trees or shrubs and very rarely herbs.
Mostly they are mesophytes, but xerophytes (e.g., Parkinsonia) are also reported. Most of them
are wild, but many are cultivated for their beautiful flowers and timber. Some plants are woody
climbers (Bauhinia sp). In many species tannin sacs and gum passages are found. The leaves
may be simple (Bauhania) or compound. If compound they may be pinnate (Senna hirsuta) or
bi- pinnate (Delonix regia). Usually the pinnate leaves are arranged in pairs, alternate; petiolate,
pulvinus present at the base of the petiole. Root is tap and branched.

Inflorescence and flowering

Flowers in the Caesalpiniaceae Family are pedicellate, zygomorphic, hermaphroditic and occur
in large racemose inflorescence. The corolla is consists of 5 petals: a banner, 2 wings, and 2 un-
united keel petals. They have imbricate aestivation. There are 5 free sepals. There are 10 stamens
that are free and often unalike. Stamen are usually 10, they have one simple carpel. Ovary is
superior.
Floral formular:

banner

wings

Keel
(ununited)

Fig 17: Typical Caesalpinaceae flower

Fruit

Its fruit is pod and woody which can be sessile or stalked, dehiscent (Delonix regia) or
indehiscent.
Common species of Caesalpinaceae

 Tamarindus indica
 Senna fistula
 Bauhania monandra
 Senna siamea
 Senna alata
 Delonix regia
 Isoberlinia doka

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 15
  Senna obtisifolia
 Senna occidentalis

Economic importance of caesalpinaceae

 Medical importance:

 The leaves of Senna alata and Senna tora are used to cure ring worm and skin diseases.
 Root of Cassia tora is used in snake-bite.
 The seeds Caesalpinae bonduc are used to cure diarrhoea and rheumatism.
 The outer cover of Tamarindus indica fruit is used to cure diarrhea

 Vegetables and fruits:

 The leaves and flower bud of Bauhinia variegate are used as vegetable.
 The tender seeds and leafy tips of Bauhania malabarica are eaten as vegetable.
 The acidic fruit of Tamarindus indica (JIM) are edible. It is rich in tartaric acid.
 The seeds Senna tora are employed in the preparation of sweets. The young leaves are
eaten as vegetable.

 Tanning and dyes:

 The bark of Buahinia and Tamarindus indica is used in tanning.

 A red dye is obtained from its heart wood of Caesalpinia sappan . This dye is used for
coloring cotton and woolen cloth. The red ink is also prepared from it.
 Haematoxylon campechianum; Eng-Logwood, heartwood contains haeamotoxylin, which
is used in dyeing and as nuclear stain.
 The bark of Bauhania variegeta and Bauhania bala is used for dyeing and tanning.

 Industrial uses:

 The gum of Bauhinia retusa is used in paper and textile industry.

 The seeds of Caesalpinia bonducalla are used as beads of necklaces, bracelets and
rosaries.

 Ornamental uses:

 Senna fistula is a tree, grown as an ornamental.

Family Papilionoidae

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 16
Taxonomic Position of Papilionaceae

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: fabales
Family: Papilionaceae

Distribution

This family has about 400 genera and 9000 species. The members of this family occur all over
the world particularly arid and temperate regions.

Vegetative characters

The plants may be trees (Dalbergia siso), shrubs (Cajanus cajan) or herbs (Desmodium and
Crotalaria). There stem may be woody or climber Abrus precatorius with tendrils. They have
compound (rarely simple), alternate and stipulate leaves. The stipules are mostly leafy.
Sometimes, these leaves are partially or completely modified into tendrils.

Flowers and Inflorescence

They have bisexual, zygomorphic, pedicillate and Papilionaceous (butterfly-like) that occur on
Racemose or solitary axillary inflorescence. They have 5 sepals. These sepals are mostly united
to form tube. These are hairy. They have papilionaceous corolla with vexillary aestivation. The
corolla is consists of 5 petals: a banner, 2 wings, and a fused keel. The banner is exterior to the
wings. The fused keel encloses the unique androecium, 10 stamens in 9 fused + 1 free
arrangements (this is termed diadelphous). The stamens surround the style but are not fused to
it. They have simple pistil with single carpel and superior ovary. The style is long bent at its base
Floral formular:

Fig 18: Typical Papilionaceous flower

Fruit

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 17
Fruit is usually a legume or pod splitting along the dorsal or ventral sutures or both, they are
sometimes indehiscent. The fruit is neither woody as in Caesapinaceae but it produces bunchy
aggregation as in Mimosaceae

Common Species

 Lathyrus odoratus: Sweet pea

 Arachis hypogea: Peanut
 Cicer arietinum: Chick pea
 Dalbergia sisso: Shishant
 Cajanus cajan; pigeon pea
 Vigna unguiculata- Cowpea
 Crotalaria retusa
 Desmodium triflorum
 Abrus precatorius

Economic Importance of Papilionaceae

 Food:

 Most of the important pulses are belonged to this family. These pulses are used as food.
Pulses are rich in proteins. The common species of pulses are Grain, Pea, and Kidney
bean.

 Fodders:

 Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) is one of the best forage crops.

 Vicia Melilotu and Trifolium are also cultivated as main fodder crops.

 Timber:

 Many plant of this family provide timber for building

 Main timber plants are Butea, Dalbergia etc.

 Vegetable oil:

 The seed of Arachis hypogea (peanut) are edible. They are also used for extraction of
peanut oil. This peanut oil as well as Glycine max are hydrogenated and used as vegetable
oil.

 Dyes:

 Some of its plants give yellow and indigo dyes for example Indigofera sp

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 18
  Medicinal plants:

 Many plants of this family are used in medicines.

 Glycyrrhiza glabra is used for cough and cold.
 Clitori aternatea is use against snake bite.

 Ornamental plants:

 Some important ornamental plants are Lathyrus (pea), Lupinus, Clitoria, Butea etc.

Other important Dicot families include;

 Malvaceae
 Rosaceae
 Euphorbiaceae
 Anacardiaceae

Comparisom between Mimosaceae, Caesalpinaceae and Papilionaceae

characters Mimosoidae Caesalpinoidae Papilionoidae

Inflorescence Occur on globose or occur on large racemose Occur on

elongated inflorescence inflorescence Racemose or
solitary axillary
Symmetry The flowers are usually zygomorphic zygomorphic
small, actinomorphic
Pedicel Some are Pedicellate pedicellate Pedicillate
(Acacia) or sessile
(Prosopis).
Sepal and petal They have 5 Sepals and The corolla is consists of They have 5
5 petals that are free or 5 petals: a banner, 2 sepals. These

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 19
 joined into a tube. wings, and 2 un-united sepals are mostly
keel petals. There are 5united to form
free sepals. The banner tube. There are 5
is usually located
clawed petals.
interior to the wings. These are the
Standard or
Vexillum, the two
wings, two fused
Keel
Aestivation Velvet Imbricate Vexillary
Stamen Stamens are numerous There are 10 stamens The flowers have
and free or that are free and often 9 stamens fused to
monadelphous (joined unalike. Stamen are form a sheath
into a staminal tube usually 10. around the pistil.
around the pistil). The posterior
stamen is free.
Floral formular

Description of selected families of monocot and dicot and their economic importance A. Aliyu Page 20