This page has comparison of floral formulas.
For Images please use the links below.
The following link is to the site that I am using for lectures.
BOTANY 301 - TAXONOMY OF FLOWERING PLANTS
This page is the index to the following pages for each Subclass which then link to the families, or you can link directly to the family pages from here if you don't want to read about the SubClasses.
Below are the links for each family and the floral formulas. CA = Calyx, CO = Corolla, A = Androecium, G = Gynoecium. A line below the G = Hypogynous flower (ovary superior); a line above the G = Epigynous flower (ovary inferior). A circle around a number means the parts are fused. A half circle or curve below something means partial or basal fusion of those parts. A curve above means apical fusion of parts. Z = Zygomorphic. The curved line below the Corolla and Androecium indicates that the filaments of the stamens are attached to the petals (epipetalous).
Magnoliopsida
The Subclass Asteridae
The Order Gentianales
Asclepiadaceae - the Milkweed Family
Flowers include a 5th whorl - or corona - of various forms
This formula means that the 5 sepals are free; the 5 petals are fused; the 5 stamens are attached at the base with the petals but are attached at the top with the 2 apically fused superior carpels.
The Order Solanales
Solanaceae - the Nightshade Family
The Order Scrophulariales
Scrophulariaceae - the Snapdragon Family
The Order Lamiales -- read about the distinctive gynoecium
Lamiaceae - the Mint Family = Labiatae
The Order Asterales
Asteraceae - the Sunflower Family
= Compositae or the Composite Family
Formulas show Disk flower above with regular corolla and Ray flower below with zygomorphic corolla. The calyx is modified into a pappus = a set (X = limited number) of hairs, bristle, or scales. The pappus may persist on the fruit, for example as hairs (goldenrod) or a parachute (dandelion) for wind dispersal, or as barbed bristles for animal dispersal (hitch hikers).
Note, as Smith's book explains, different members of the family have composite heads of one of three types: 1) only ray flowers and they are perfect (bisexual), example dandelion, chicory, lettuce; 2) only disk flowers and they are perfect, example thistle, blazing star, pussy toes, joe-pye weed; 3) both ray flowers (pistillate or sterile) and disk flowers (perfect or staminate), example aster, daisy, sunflower, black-eyed susan, see below.
