Botanical questions: 001

[MWP admin]

1) In which family should we clasify Periploca spp. - in
Asclepiadaceae or Periplocaceae ??

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2) When the stamen are sitting over the petals (see attached photo), do we refer to them as

a) antipetalous
b) antisepalous
c) opposipetalous
d) opposisepalous

is a=c and b=d? Confusing...!

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3 Can we use the plural of stamen also as stamen or it should be stamens?


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[IL-PINE]

Well, according to Mr. Weber's book, the Wolfbane or Periploca angustifolia is in the family Asclepiadaceae.

[HC Weber]

Very good question- Periploca is still an Asclepiadaceae, but discussed since centuries to be an Apocynaceae- plants have characteristics of both families. Interestingly, symbiotic fungi of Periploca show same structures to those of the Apocynaceae (Asclepiadacees are very different), etc. So, to put this genus in a separate family, could make a sense.

[MWP admin]

I have seen few sites (mostly American) that put periploca spp. as an own family of Periplocaceae but for the moment I stick to Asclepiadaceae since it is more general known to be in this family. It was interesting your infor HC, I will try to find more info about this.


What about questions 2 and 3

[HC Weber]

Admin: question 2 I have to find out by myself (I am not so firm with English terms)-
question 3: we usually use the plural stamens because a flower commonly has more than 1 stamen (except e.g. Euphorbia). If a single stamen is sterile, it is a staminode, if stamens are sterile, the represent staminodes.

[MWP admin]

Gulp!!

I have to revise all profiles of the site and change stamen to stamens then... more work..

(PS: thanks pine to point this out earlier)


I am working on Q2 too and arrive to a conclusion...