Sympetalous Flowers Garden
Verbenaceae
Depending on the formation of petals, flowers around the world can be categorized as either polypetalous or sympetalous . Polypetalous flowers such as cherry and lotus have distinct petals. On the contrary, sympetalous flowers have their petals fully or partially fused. When the connate(united) part is at the base, the flowers form a funnel-shaped cylinder, known as the perianth tube. Take some time to observe the tubular, cup-, or funnel-shaped flowers planted in the garden.
ApocynaceaeApocynaceae: This family includes trees, shrubs and lianas. Many of these plants have milky latex sap; the leaves are simple, usually opposite and decussate, or whorled; lacking stipules. The flowers are bisexual, radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), aggregated in cymose or racemose inflorescences (rarely fasciculate or solitary). The corolla is sympetalous and usually 5-lobed. A nectary consisting of 5 glands or an annular ring is usually found at the base of the ovary. The anthers are introrse and commonly adherent to the surface of the stigma. The fruit is a follicle. The seeds are usually flat and winged or have a tuft of hairs at one end.
This family are found in tropical and subtropical zones. They could be used in sources of drugs, over 50 species were found, such as Catharanthus roseus, Rauwolfia serpentine, Devil-pepper (Rauwolfia verticillata) are popular. Also Alstonia scholaris was used as material in the manufacture of blackboard. Several genera are grown as ornamental plants, including Nerium oleander, Cerbera manghas, Plumeria rubra, Allamanda cathartica, Adeniuum obesum…etc. In general, people hear of Apocynaceae, the first impression is that they are toxic and then keep their distance. Actually, it is pleasant to observe the beauty without touching or eating the milky sap.
RubiaceaeRubiaceae has easily classified characteristics: The leaves are opposite or whorled phyllotaxis, stipules are present and interpetiolar, ovary inferior, sympetalous flower. The Rubiaceae are trees, shrubs or infrequently herbs. Those Coffea Arabica L., Cinchona ledgeriana Moench, Mussaenda erythrophylla Schumach et Thonn., and Ixora chinensis Lamk have high economic value. In Taiwan, Rubiaceae is common to see in lower elevation broad-leaf forest and it is one of majority forest structure plants too.
Rubiaceae grows in every climatic zone but the Frigid Zone and variety of soil; it has its gravity on ecosystem balance.
