Plumbaginaceae Juss.

George R. Proctor (2012). Flora of the Cayman Isands (Second Edition). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herbs or shrubs with basal or alternate entire simple leaves and perfect and regular flowers

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx inferior, 4- or 5-toothed, sometimes plaited at the sinuses, the tube 5–15-ribbed. Corolla hypogynous, of 4 or 5 clawed segments connate at the base or united into a tube

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4 or 5, opposite the corolla-segments, hypogynous; anthers 2-locular, dorsally attached to the filaments, the locules longitudinally dehiscent

Disc

Disc none

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary superior, 1-locular; ovule solitary, anatropous, pendulous; styles 5

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a utricle, achene, or capsule, enclosed by the calyx

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed solitary.

Distribution

A family of wide distribution with about 10 genera and 500 species.

Ecology

Many of them occurring in saline or arid habitats.

Note

Only the genus Limonium has been found growing wild in the Cayman Islands, but Plumbago capensis, a small shrub with blue flowers, is sometimes cultivated.

Milliken, W., Klitgard, B. and Baracat, A. (2009 onwards), Neotropikey - Interactive key and information resources for flowering plants of the Neotropics. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Morphology General Habit

Herbs or shrubs, sometimes scrambling

Morphology General Glands

Secretory glands exuding water, salt or mucilage often present, lepidote indumentum sometimes present

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple, alternate, spirally arranged, sometimes in basal rosettes, petiolate, membranous or leathery, margin entire or lobed, pinnately veined, glands level with or depressed below the surface; exstipulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal, cymose, in broadly paniculate structures or scorpioid cymes; bracts and bracteoles present

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual, 5- merous, actinomorphic, often heterostylous, floral nodes bracteolate, bracteoles (1-)2; sepals 5, connate, tube 5-10- lobed with spiky, glandular trichomes in Plumbago L.; petals 5, connate into a tube or free, imbricate, clawed, often persistent; stamens 5, mostly free (Plumbago) or epipetalous at the base of the corolla (Limonium Mill. ) opposite the petals, anthers 2-locular, dehiscent longitudinally; ovary superior with 5 fused carpels, unilocular, styles 1-5, stigmas surmounting the ovary, placentation basal, ovule 1

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit an achene, partially or totally enclosed within the persistent perianth, or a five-valved, beaked capsule with a persistent style, normally indehiscent, young fruits sometimes with glandular trichomes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds small, with only the exotesta persisting, sometimes winged .

Note

Notes on delimitation: The Plumbaginaceae are split into two very distinct sub -families: Plumbaginoideae, which includes Plumbago, and Staticoideae, which includes Limonium (Lledo et al. 2001).  Treated as a monofamiliar order the Plumbaginales sensu Cronquist. Currently placed in the non-core Caryophyllales as a strongly supported monophyletic sister to the family Polygonaceae and in the same clade as Simmondsiaceae, Nepenthaceae and Droseraceae (Lledo et al. 1998, 2001).  The Plumbaginaceae have sometimes been placed in the order Primulales, based on similarities in floral structure: both have (1) stamens equal in number to and opposite the petals, (2) common petal-stamen primordia, (3) more or less connatecorolla (Limonium), (4) absence of stipules and (5) superior unilocular ovary with a freebasalplacenta. However, the Primulales have a strongly supported relationship to the asterid 3 clade backed up by cytological and biochemical evidence (Lledo et al. 1998, 2001). Number of genera: Two Neotropical genera: Plumbago and Limonium. "Pollinated by bees, flies and small beetles.  From the Latin for lead ""Plumbum"", so called by Pliny who attributed the curing of lead disease to European species. The Caryophyllales are sometimes also called the Centrospermae - meaning ""central seeded""."

Distribution

Plumbago (9 species) can be found throughout the Neotropics in dry scrubland, lowland tropical forest and in the Andes: Plumbago scandens L. - dry scrubland from Mexico to South America. Plumbago caeruela Kunth - Peruvian Andes. Plumbago pulchella Boiss. and P. scandens L., P. mexicana Kunth and P. pulchella Boiss. - Mexico. P. capensis Thumb. - Caribbean Islands. P. indica L. and P. auriculata Lam. - commonly naturalized in the Neotropics. Limonium (5 species) is to be found in coastal and mountainous areas: Limonium bahamense Britton - coastal areas of the West Indies.  Limonium haitense Blake - coastal areas of Haiti and Dominican Republic.  Limonium brasiliensis (Boiss.) Kuntze - Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay.  Limonium peruvianum Kuntze - Peru.  Limonium papillatum Kuntze - Isle of Lobos, Peru. Plumbaga auriculata Lam. (a climber) and P. indica are commonly naturalized in the Neotropics with others cultivated throughout the region. The remainder of the family is native, with some endemic species.

Diagnostic

Key differences from similar families: The following families differ from Plumbaginaceae in having the following features: Primulaceae: Sympetalous. Opposite leaves (can also be alternate or basal). Axillaryinflorescence. Often solitary flowers. Polygonaceae: Tepals.  Normally 3-sided fruiting structures, either a nut or achene. Conspicuous swollen nodes on the stem. Frankeniaceae: Revolute leaves. Pedicels absent. Ligule-like appendage present adaxially at petal base. Lepidoteindumentum.  Secretory glands exuding water, calcium or mucilage. Flowers heterostylous. Filaments free - Plumbago. Filaments basally fused to petals - Limonium. Distinguishing characters (always present): Alternate leaves. Inflorescence bracteate, terminal.  Flowers pentamerous, actinomorphic, bisexual.  Ovule 1.

Plumbaginaceae, F.N. Hepper. Flora of West Tropical Africa 2. 1963

Morphology General Habit

Herbs, undershrubs or climbers

Morphology Leaves

Leaves in a basal rosette or alternate; stipules absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers hermaphrodite, actinomorphic, often in unilateral inflorescences or subumbellate; bracts often sheathing, dry and membranous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx often ribbed, mostly membranous between the ribs

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla gamopetalous, lobes imbricate, mostly persistent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium

Stamens 5, opposite the corolla-lobes; anthers 2-celled, opening lengthwise

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Nectaries

Disk absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium

Ovule 1, pendulous from a basal funicle Ovary superior 1-celled; styles 5, free or connate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit various

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed with or without endosperm, and with a straight embryo

Gemma Bramley, Anna Trias-Blasi & Richard Wilford (2023). The Kew Temperate Plant Families Identification Handbook. Kew Publishing Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Recognition

Characters of similar families: Polygonaceae: swollen nodes, stipules present, ochreas present. Primulaceae: secretory glands absent, sepals not usually colourful, showy or paperlike, seeds several to many. Droseraceae: insectivorous, enzyme-secreting leaves, intrapetiolar stipules often present, seeds 3 to numerous. Simmondsiaceae: dioecious, leaves opposite, flowers apetalous. Frankeniaceae: leaves opposite, revolute, clawed petals, carpels 1–3.

Morphology General Habit

Herbs, small caespitose shrubs, or lianas

Morphology General Glands

Secretory glands that exude water, salt or mucilage often present

Morphology General Hair

Hairs simple or lepidote indumentum sometimes present

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules absent

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple, entire to lobed, alternate, sometimes auriculate or in basal rosettes, petiolate to sessile, epulvinate, membranous or leathery, pinnately veined

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal or axillary cymes, racemes, panicles, corymbs or solitary heads, herbaceous bracts scarious, sometimes absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, 5-merous, sepals may be colourful and showy, often thin and papery, connate, tube 5–10-lobed, sometimes with spiky glandular trichomes (Plumbago), petals free or fused into a long tube (Plumbago), imbricate, clawed, often persistent; stamens 5, opposite petals, mostly free (Plumbago) or epipetalous at base of corolla (Limonium); anthers 2-locular dehiscent longitudinally; styles 1, or 5, opposite sepals, free to connate; ovary superior, of 5 fused carpels, unilocular, basal placentation, ovule 1

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a capsule or achene with circumscissile or irregular dehiscence, scarious bracts, bracteoles or glandular calyx for wind dispersal, or a spongy mesocarp for water or ocean dispersal-Seeds with or without endosperm, small, often winged.

Distribution

Cosmopolitan, frequent in coastal, dry, cold, saline regions: 25 genera and ca. 600 species in two subfamilies. Plumbaginoideae, such as Plumbago (leadwort), are predominantly warm temperate. Limonoideae are predominantly cooler temperate, with Armeria and Limonium the largest genera.

Note

Leaves spirally arranged, often a basal rosette, sometimes auriculate; secretory glands exuding water, salts or mucilage common. Inflorescence bracteate, usually terminal. Flowers bisexual, tubular, pentamerous; ovary superior, one small seed.

Description Author

Sue Frisby

Plumbaginaceae, A. R. Vickery. Flora Zambesiaca 7:1. 1983

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, rarely annual, herbs or small shrubs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves exstipulate, alternate or in basal rosettes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Bracts scarious Inflorescence various, often cymose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 5–merous, bisexual, actinomorphic

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals free, slightly joined at base, or united to form long basal tube

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium

Stamens inserted at base of corolla, antipetalous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium

Styles 5, or 1 with 5 stigma–lobes Ovary superior, 1–celled with 1 anatropous ovule

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a dry 1–seeded capsule, often enclosed in the persistent calyx, indehiscent, or operculate, or dehiscing irregularly

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds with abundant, scanty, or absent, mealy endosperm

Plumbaginaceae, C. M. Wilmot-Dear. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1976

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, rarely annual, herbs or small shrubs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate or in basal rosettes, exstipulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 1–several in usually 3-bracteate spikelets; spikelets grouped into spikes or compact heads

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals united, tubular or funnel-shaped, 5-nerved, often 5-ribbed or 5-angled; limb sometimes membranous or scarious

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla actinomorphic, tubular or funnel-shaped with 5 lobes, or petals connate only at base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium

Stamens 5, antipetalous, inserted at base of corolla; anthers dithecous, dehiscent longitudinally

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium

Ovary superior, sessile or stalked, 1-locular; ovule 1, anatropous, pendulous from a basal funicle; styles 5, or style 1 with 5 stigma-lobes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a dry 1-seeded capsule, often enclosed in the persistent calyx, indehiscent or dehiscing irregularly or by splitting in a complete ring near base, or operculate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Endosperm abundant, scanty or absent