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Loosestrife family
Lythraceae
ミソハギ科
A diverse family including loosestrife (Lythrum anceps), crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), and pomegranate (Punica granatum). About 32 genera and 650 species are distributed from tropical to temperate regions. Under APG IV, broadly circumscribed to include former Punicaceae and Trapaceae.
Key Characteristics
- ●Petals arise from the rim of the calyx tube, often crinkled or wavy
- ●Stems are often 4- to 6-angled
- ●Leaves are mostly opposite or whorled
- ●Fruit is a capsule, berry, or drupe
Morphological Traits
A family may include species with different trait values — multiple values indicate the range within the family.
Leaf arrangement
Alternate / Opposite / Whorled
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Entire
Growth form
Shrub / Tree / Herb
Evergreen/Deciduous
Deciduous
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Stipules
Present / Absent
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic / Zygomorphic
Petal count
3 petals
Petal fusion
Free / Fused
Ovary position
Superior
Stamen count
3-4 / 6 / 7-10
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Myrtales > Lythraceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (about 80–70 million years ago)
Representative Genera
Related Evolution Events
- ・Development of heteromorphic stamens of different lengths in crape myrtle and others
- ・Expansion of family circumscription to include Punicaceae and others (APG IV)
Plants in Loosestrife family on this site
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