Scrophulariaceae
The
Figwort Family |
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Plantae
Angiosperms Eudicots Asterids Lamiales |
This is a large plant family, with around 3000 species in around 200 genera, mainly found in the northern temperate regions of the world. Most of them are herbaceous, with a few shrubs and climbers, with one genus of trees (Paulownia). Some of them are semi-parasitic (Hay Rattle, Lousewort).
Many of the plants in this Family are popular garden plants - from tiny alpines like Erinus, through Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) and Foxglove (Digitalis) to the Mulleins (Verbascum), and several are well-known weeds - the Speedwells (Veronica), Eyebright (Euphrasia) and the Toadflaxes (Linaria). Other plants in this family grown for ornament include Mimulus, Penstemon, Hebe, and Calceolaria. One or two are grown for the production of drugs, notably Digitalis (Foxglove) for digitalin.
Opposite or alternate leaves
Flowers in spikes
Irregular flowers with four or five petals
and are mostly short herbs
Many genera have recently been transferred to other families within the Lamiales, notably Plantaginaceae and Orobanchaceae but also several new families . Several families of the Lamiales have had their circumscriptions enlarged to accommodate genera transferred from Scrophulariacae.
The family includes some medicinal plants, among them:
* Leptandra, black root, Culver\'s root
* Rehmannia, Chinese foxglove, used in Traditional Chinese medicine
* Scrophularia, figworts
* Verbascum, mulleins
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrophulariaceae |
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