Plant Family Characteristics

For a list of all families and plants in this flora, click here.
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                         MONOCOTYLEDONS  (Monocots)

This group of families is characterized by parallel-veined leaves (as in corn or grass) and flower parts in threes or sixes.
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​Agavaceae (Agave family)

     Plants in our area are shrubby, standing three to four feet tall. Leaves are linear and parallel-veined.     

     

Alismataceae (Arrowhead family)

     Plants of freshwater wetlands and wet mud. Flowers are in whorls of three, with three rounded whitish petals each.

​Alliaceae (Onion family)

     Garlic and onions. Plants grow from bulbs, leaves are narrow.

Amaryllidaceae (Daffodil family)

     Narrow-leaved plants with six showy petals.

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Araceae (Arum family)

     Perennial herbs, characterized by a flower cluster (spathe) surrounded by a leafy sheath (spadix.)

Commelinaceae (Spiderwort family)

     Tapering leaves, three blue-purple petals.

Convallariaceae (Lily-of-the-Valley family)

     Low plants with unbranched stems; flowers hang beneath the leaves.

Cyperaceae (Sedge family)

     A very large family, with 225 species in Kentucky. Stems are grass-like, but triangular in cross section ("sedges have edges.") Seed heads vary widely.

Dioscoreaceae (Yam family)

     Our two species are both twining vines with heart-shaped leaves. Seeds produce three-winged fruit pods

Hyacinthaceae (Grape-hyacinth family)

     Plants reproduce from bulbs; they feature narrow leaves and six showy petals.

Iridaceae (Iris family)

     Plants in this family have flattened leaf blades, sheathing at the base. Flowers are showy.

Liliaceae (Lily family)

     This was once a very large family, but has been split into a dozen families or more, based on genetic work. Flowers frequently hang, bell-like.

Orchidaceae (Orchid family)

     This huge, largely tropical family has dozens of species in Kentucky. Orchids depend on soil fungi for their nutrition and survival; some lack chlorophyll entirely. Most of our species produce a stalk of small flowers with fused petals.

Poaceae (Grass family)

     A huge family, with hundreds of species in our area. Many are identified via technical features.

Smilacaceae (Catbrier family)

     Formerly part of the lily family, most of these are green, spiny vines in the genus Smilax.

Trilliaceae (Trillium family)

     Formerly part of the lily family, these are members of the genus Trillium. Plants have three equally-spaced leaves and showy, three-petaled flowers. 

Typhaceae (Cattail family)

     Familiar wetland species.
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Uvulariaceae (Bellwort family)

     Formerly part of the lily family. Local species have perfoliate leaves and dangling yellow flowers.

                     DICOTYLEDONS  (Dicots)

There are five times as many dicots as monocots, including most of our flowering species. Dicots are identified by net-veined (not parallel-veined) leaves; flowers bear four to five petals.
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Acanthaceae (Acantus family)

     Plants with opposite leaves and four- or (mostly) five-petalled flowers.

Aceraceae (Maple family)

     Maple trees are among the few that have opposite leaves. Wind-pollinate flowers dangle, without petals. Form typical maple "helicopter seeds."

Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)

     Our local representatives consist mostly of alien, invasive weeds. Plants produce numerous small flowers and seeds.

Anacardiaceae (Sumac family)

     Woody vines or shrubs. Our species have alternate, compound leaves, and berry-like fruits.

Annonaceae (Pawpaw family)

     The pawpaw is our only member of this large tropical family. Small deciduous trees with simple, alternating leaves.

Apiaceae (Carrot family)

     Formerly the Umbelliferae. This large family is characterized by dissected leaves and sheathing leaf bases. Inflorescences resemble umbrella spokes, with many flower stalks arising from one central point.

Araliaceae (Ginseng family)

     This family includes herbs and large woody shrubs. Leaves are compound, fruits are berries.      

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed family)

     This large family is identified by milky sap. Leaves are opposite, or sometimes whorled. Milkweed (genus Asclepias) flowers have an extra "skirt" of downward-turned petals.

Asteraceae (Daisy or Composite family)

      Formerly the Compositae. This is the largest plant family world-wide, with many representatives in our area. Flowers exhibit the structure of daisies and sunflowers, with many small disk flowers in the center, surrounded by larger petals (ray flowers.)

Balsaminaceae (Touch-me not family)

     This largely tropical family has just two representatives in our area. Plants are large and weedy, with watery sap. Flowers are bright and irregular.

Betulaceae (Birch family)

     This family of small trees features alternate, pointed, finely-toothed leaves. Wind-pollinated flowers are hanging catkins.

Bignoniaceae (Catalpa family)

     Woody vines or trees with showy, irregular flowers. 

Boraginaceae (Borage family)

      Herbaceous plants with, simple, alternate leaves. Flowers have fused or partially fused petals, and are arranged in a helicoid (or scorpiod) cyme.

Brassicaceae (Mustard family)

     Formerly called Cruciferae, due to the four cross-like petals in each flower. This family contains many food plants, including cabbage, broccoli, and radishes. 

Cactaceae  (Cactus family)

     Really ?? It's a cactus!

Campanulaceae (Bellflower family)

     Herbaceous plants with alternate leaves. Irregular flowers are  bell-shaped or bilateral, with five partially fused petals.

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family)

      Vines, shrubs, and small trees. Leaves are opposite, flowers are tubular or funnel-like.

Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)

    Herbaceous plants characterized by opposite leaves and swollen nodes. Flowers have five (occasionally four) fused petals.

Celastraceae (Bittersweet family)

     Vines and woody shrubs. Bushes with green, opposite branches belong in the genus Euonymus, part of this family.

Clusiaceae (Mangosteen family)

     Our representatives are yellow-flowered herbs and shrubs, known as St John's worts. Leaves are opposite and may be spotted with black or translucent dots.

Convolvulaceae (Morning-glory family)

     Our species are vines with alternate leaves and fused-petal, radial flowers.

Cornaceae (Dogwood family)

     Shrubs and small trees. Leaves are opposite; flowers have four petals.

Ericaceae (Heath family)

     A large family, including ornamental rhododendrons and azaleas. Alternate leaves may be shiny, flowers have four or five fused petals. 

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)

     A tropical family including Poinsettias; characterized by milky sap. Simple leaves are opposite or alternate; flowers vary.

Fabaceae (Legume family)

     Formerly the Leguminosae. This is a large family including peas and beans. Flowers are frequently bilateral, "pea type." Seeds form in bean-like pods.

Fagaceae (Beech family)

     This family includes oak, beech, and chestnut trees. All have alternate leaves and dangling, wind-pollinated flowers.

Gentianaceae (Gentian family)

     A family of herbaceous plants, with opposite leaves and flowers with 4 to 12 fused petals.

Geraniaceae (Geranium family)

     Herbaceous plants with deeply lobed leaves; five-petaled flowers are round; beaked seeds give these species the nickname "cranesbills."

Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf family)

     Waterleaf and their relatives form understory woodland ground covers. Stems are hairy, and five-petaled flowers have stamens extending well outside the flowers.

Junglandaceae (Walnut family)

     This family includes our local nut trees: walnuts, hickories, and pecans. Leaves are compound and wind-pollinated flowers dangle in the spring. 

Lamiaceae (Mint family)

     Formerly the Labiatae. Herbaceous plants with square stems and opposite leaves. Bilateral flowers are tubular, opening into rounded lobes.

Malvaceae (Mallow family)

     The five-petaled flowers of this family have numerous stamens wrapped around a central style. 

Onagraceae (Evening-primrose family)

     Herbaceous plants with four separate, showy petals. The four-branched stigma makes a cross at the center of each flower.

Oxalidaceae (Wood-sorrel family)

     Small herbs with three clover-like leaves. Flowers are five-parted.

Passifloraceae (Passion-flower family)

     Vining plants with fringed petals and thrice-branched stigmas.

Plantaginaceae (Plaintain family)

     Common weeds in lawns and disturbed areas. Leaves form basal rosettes with tiny flowers are on spikes.

Polemoniaceae (Phlox family)

     Local members of this family are familiar wildflowers with five partially-fused petals.

Polygonaceae (Buckwheat or smartweed family)

     Herbs or vines with swollen, fringed joints; small flowers lack petals, although some have colored sepals.

Primulaceae (Primrose family)

     Our species are wildflowers with five downward facing petals. 

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)

     This is a large family with many local representatives, mostly wildflowers. Characterized by numerous stamens in the flower centers.

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Rosaceae (Rose family)

    This is a family of wildflowers, fruit-bearing plants, and wild roses. Five petals, five sepals, and numerous stamens.

Rubiaceae (Madder family)

     These wildflowers and weeds are characterized by four fused petals, and opposite or whorled leaves.

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family)

     A large family with a lot of variety among its flower types. Most of our species have opposite leaves; flowers are mostly bilateral, not round.

      

Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

   A widespread family which includes tomatoes, eggplants, and tobacco. Leaves are alternate; five petals are fused. 

Ulmaceae (Elm family)

     This family includes elm and hackberry trees. They are characterized by flat branching patterns and leaves with asymmetrical bases.

Urticaceae (Nettle family)

​     Herbaceous plants with axillary or terminal clusters of tiny flowers. Two of our four species have stinging stem hairs.

Violaceae (Violet family)

     Most of our species are types of the familiar bilateral, blue/purple violets. Flower petals are fused, with five lobes at the opening. Most have basal leaves only.

Vitaceae (Grape family)

     Our species are woody vines with berry-like fruits.