Floral Formula Of Liliaceae

The Liliaceae family is a group of angiosperms, also known as the ’lily family’. It is composed of monocotyledonous plants and is widely distributed around the world. This family includes ornamental plants such as lilies and tulips, medicinal plants like Aloe vera and Colchicum, and vegetables like onion, garlic, and asparagus.

Floral formula and floral diagram of the Liliaceae family

Table of Contents:

[Floral Formula](#Floral Formula)

Systematic Position of Liliaceae

Features of Liliaceae Family

Economic Importance

[Frequently Asked Questions](#Frequently Asked Questions)

Floral Formula:

(⚬ Kₐ Cₘₐ Gₐ)

The floral formula of Allium cepa (onion) of the Liliaceae family is: K(5) C(5) A(∞) G(1), which symbolically represents the 5 sepals, 5 petals, infinite stamens and 1 pistil respectively.

Floral formula of Allium cepa (onion) of the Liliaceae family of the Liliaceae family")

Here the symbols represent:

| Br | Bracteate |

| ⊕ | Actinomorphic (Radial Symmetry) |

| ⚥ | Bisexual |

| P(3+3) | Perianth – 6 tepals in two whorls, gamophyllous (united) |

| A3+3 | Androecium - 6 stamens, polyandrous (free), epiphyllous (attached to tepals) |

| G(3) | Gynoecium - Tricarpellary, Syncarpous (United), Superior Ovary |

Systematic Position of Liliaceae

Kingdom: Plantae

Subkingdom: Tracheobionta

Super Division: Spermatophyta

Magnoliophyta: Division

Class: Liliopsida

Subclass: Liliidae

Order: Liliales

Family: Liliaceae

#Features of Liliaceae Family

  1. Most species are herbaceous
  2. Leaves are alternate and simple
  3. Flowers are bisexual and actinomorphic
  4. Fruit is a capsule or berry

Common Plants

Liliaceae is a large family of flowering plants. Some common examples include:

| Common Name | Scientific Name |

| Onion | Allium cepa |

| Garlic | Allium sativum |

| Asparagus | Asparagus officinalis |

| Aloe vera | Aloe vera |

| Lily | *Lilium sp.* |

| Tulip | *Tulipa sp.* |

| Dragon Plant | Dracaena Marginata |

| Butcher’s Broom | Ruscus aculeatus |

| Autumn Crocus | Colchicum autumnale |

Description of the Family

Habit: Plants in the Liliaceae family are perennials and herbaceous. They are monocots with a wide range of morphologies, some of which are climbers and some of which are trees.

Root: Typically they possess a fibrous root system.

Stem: Mostly herbaceous stems, which can be either aerial or underground. Underground stems are often present in the form of bulbs, corms, or rhizomes. Some of the aerial stems have phylloclades, which are modified leaf-like branches.

Leaf: Leaves are generally arranged alternately and are located at the base of the stem. The veins on the leaves run parallel to one another. Leaves lack stipules and have either a petiole or no stalk at all. The shape of the leaves can vary and can be scaly, succulent, or modified into tendrils.

Inflorescence: Variable inflorescence, such as solitary, cymose umbel, etc.

Flower: Mostly bracteate, actinomorphic, and hermaphrodite, the flower is typically trimerous and hypogynous.

Perianth: Tepals 6, arranged in two whorls and mostly united, with valvate aestivation.

Androecium: Stamens 6, polyandrous and epiphyllous or epitepalous, present in two whorls.

Gynoecium: The gynoecium is tricarpellary and syncarpous, with a superior, trilocular ovary. Each locule contains many ovules, and the placentation is axile. It contains one style and a three-lobed stigma.

Fruit: Mostly capsules, rarely berries.

Seeds: Endospermic with one cotyledon, the endosperm of which is either fleshy or horny and contains aleuron or oil.

Pollination: Members of the Liliaceae family mainly exhibit entomophilous pollination, meaning that they are pollinated by insects.

Economic Importance

The economic importance of species of Liliaceae can be summarized as follows: they are grown as vegetables and ornamental plants.

Many plants are used as vegetables, such as onion, garlic, and asparagus.

Many plants are of medicinal importance, such as Aloe vera, Smilax, etc. Additionally, Colchicine is obtained from Colchicum.

Many ornamental plants also belong to this family, such as lilies, tulips, etc.

Some of the plants yield fibres, such as Yucca.

In conclusion, the flowers of the Liliaceae family typically possess bracts, actinomorphic symmetry, bisexuality, trimery, and hypogyny.

The perianth is with six tepals, gamophyllous and biseriate.

The Androecium consists of six polyandrous stamens, which are epiphyllous and arranged in two whorls.

The gynoecium is tricarpellary and syncarpous with a superior ovary having axile placentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Liliaceae is trimerous.

The perianth of Liliaceae has 6 sepals, arranged in a whorl of two in two bunches.

What are the Characteristics of a Liliaceae Flower?

Liliaceae flowers typically have six petals, a central pistil, and six stamens. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, and the petals often have a waxy texture. The leaves of the plants in this family are usually long and narrow. They are also generally fragrant.

A Liliaceae flower is hermaphroditic (both sexes on the same flower), actinomorphic (radial symmetry), pedicellate (short secondary stem) and has a superior ovary.

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