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Pipewort family
Eriocaulaceae
ホシクサ科
A family of herbs growing in wetlands and waterside habitats. Many species including Eriocaulon and Syngonanthus are native to Japan and are representative autumn wetland plants. Characterized by white, cottony capitulate inflorescences, with about 400 species known.
Key Characteristics
- ●White to grayish-white cottony capitulate inflorescences
- ●Leaves form basal rosettes; many species have translucent cross-septa
- ●Flowers are unisexual and very small
- ●Grows in wetlands and shallow water
Morphological Traits
A family may include species with different trait values — multiple values indicate the range within the family.
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Parallel
Leaf margin
Entire
Growth form
Herb
Evergreen/Deciduous
Deciduous
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic / Zygomorphic
Petal count
4 petals / 5 petals / 6 petals
Petal fusion
Free
Ovary position
Superior
Stamen count
1-2 / 3-4
Plant sex
Dioecious / Monoecious
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Monocots > Poales > Eriocaulaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene
Representative Genera
Related Evolution Events
- ・Specialization for wind pollination through cottony capitulate inflorescences
- ・Ecological adaptation to wetland and aquatic habitats
Plants in Pipewort family on this site
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