| | Family guide for fruits and seeds |
Synonyms: Periplocaceae Schltr., nom. cons.; Stapeliaceae Horan.
Common name: Milkweed Family.
Number of genera 284. Number of species 2900.
Angiosperm. Magnoliopsida.
Disseminule a dehisced fruit, or a seed.
Fruits
Pistil(s) compound; 1; 1-pistillate; with carpels united. Fruit pericarpium; simple, or schizocarp; follicle; follicarium; without persistent central column; not within accessory organ(s); many-seeded, or 1-seeded (rarely), or more than 1 but less than 10-seeded (rarely); 1-seeded (-many); 2-carpellate; with carpels separate (1 by abortion); with carpels remaining united at maturity; without sterile carpels; sulcate; apex beaked; wall membranaceous, or woody; dehiscent. Dehiscent unit seed(s). Dehiscent regularly; and shedding seeds; without replum. Epicarp durable; without armature; smooth, or not smooth; fleshy spines; without wing(s); without apical respiratory hole. Mesocarp present. Endocarp present; not separating from exocarp; thin; not splitting into 1-seeded pyrenes; without operculum; without secretory cavities; without longitudinal ridges. Funiculus short; short without seed bearing hooks (retinacula); not persisting in fruit after seed shed.
Seeds
Aril absent. Seed larger than minute; linear, or oblong, or ovate, or reniform; in transection flattened, or compressed; not bowl shaped; not nutlike; without winglike beak; without caudate appendage(s); at maturity with food reserves, or without food reserves (rarely without endosperm), or without apparent food reserves (rarely); with endosperm; without canavanine. Sarcotesta absent. Testa present; without fleshy or leathery layer over hard layer; surface unsmooth, or smooth; surface with merged raised features; surface reticulate, or ridged (longitudinally), or veined (prominently), or roughened; without crease or line separating cotyledons from hypocotyl-radicle; without notch along margin where cotyledons from hypocotyl-radicle tip approach each other; without glands; without bristles; pubescent; with tuft of hairs at one end (coma) (most spp. have coma and in the position of a funicular or micropylar aril. Winged seeds have a coma, nonwinged seed may not have a coma.); without glandular pubescence; with wing(s); 1-winged; with wing encompassing seed; without collar; without operculum; colored; monochrome; brown (all shades), or black; membranous, or coriaceous; not becoming mucilaginous when wetted; surrounding food reserve, or surrounding embryo (rarely). Hilum punctate. Raphe conspicuous, or inconspicuous. Endosperm development nuclear; moderate; fleshy, or cartilaginous, or fleshy-firm; with oils; without fatty acid containing cyclopropene; without apical lobes; without chlorophyll; without isodiametric faceted surface; without odor.
Embryo differentiated from food reserve; well developed; 1 per seed; partially filling testa (with food reserve); 0.8–0.9 times the length of food reserve; at one end of seed not extending into a depression or cup; axile and centric; foliate; with spatulate cotyledons; straight; without coleorhiza; without simmondsin; without stomata; not green; with 2 or more cotyledons. Cotyledons 2; well developed; 0.6–0.7 times length of embryo; somewhat to significantly wider than hypocotyl-radicle; 3–4.5 times wider than hypocotyl-radicle; flat; smooth; equal in size; not punctate dotted. Hypocotyl-radicle well developed; straight; not thickened. Plumule moderately developed.
Distribution
Cosmopolitan. New World, Old World. North America, Middle America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia Major, Asia Minor, southeastern Asia, Australia, Oceania.
Notes
If there is no coma, then seed is not flattened. Two subfamilies: Asclepiadoideae, Periplocoideae.
Weed information
No USA noxious weeds.
Listed seeds
ISTA listed seeds.
ISTA listed seeds: -- Asclepias curassavica L.w -- Asclepias fruticosa L. -- Asclepias labriformis M. E. Jones -- Asclepias subverticillata (A. Gray) Vail -- Asclepias syriaca L. -- Asclepias tuberosa L.f -- Cryptostegia grandiflora R. Br.w -- Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) W. T. Aiton = Asclepias fruticosa L.w -- Symbols: aagricultural and vegetable seeds (Table 2A Part 1); ttree and shrub species (Table 2A Part 2); fflower, spice, herb, and medicinal seeds (Table 2A Part 3); wweed seeds. -- Last updated September 2008.
Accepted genera
Absolmsia Kuntze -- Acustelma Baill. -- Adelostemma Hook. f. -- Aidomene Stopp -- Amblyopetalum (Griseb.) Malme -- Amblystigma Benth. -- Anatropanthus Schltr. -- Anisopus N. E. Br. -- Anisotoma Fenzl -- Anomotassa K. Schum. -- Araujia Brot. -- Asclepias L. -- Aspidoglossum E. Mey. -- Aspidonepsis Nicholas & Goyder -- Astephanus R. Br. -- Asterostemma Decne. -- Atherandra Decne. -- Atherolepis Hook. f. -- Atherostemon Blume -- Barjonia Decne. -- Baroniella Costantin & Gallaud -- Baseonema Schltr. & Rendle -- Basistelma Bartlett -- Batesanthus N. E. Br. -- Baynesia Bruyns -- Belostemma Wall. ex Wight -- Bidaria (Endl.) Decne. -- Biondia Schltr. -- Blepharodon Decne. -- Blyttia Arn. -- Brachystelma R. Br., nom. cons. -- Buckollia Venter & R. L. Verh. -- Calotropis R. Br. -- Calyptranthera Klack. -- Campestigma Pierre ex Costantin -- Camptocarpus Decne., nom. cons. -- Caralluma R. Br. -- Ceropegia L. -- Cibirhiza Bruyns -- Cionura Griseb. -- Clemensiella Schltr. -- Conomitra Fenzl -- Cordylogyne E. Mey. -- Corollonema Schltr. -- Cosmostigma Wight -- Costantina Bullock -- Cryptolepis R. Br. -- Cryptostegia R. Br. -- Cyathostelma E. Fourn. -- Cynanchum L. -- Dalzielia Turrill -- Decalepis Wight & Arn. -- Decanema Decne. -- Decanemopsis Costantin & Gallaud -- Dicarpophora Speg. -- Diplolepis R. Br. -- Diplostigma K. Schum. -- Dischidanthus Tsiang -- Dischidia R. Br. -- Ditassa R. Br. -- Dittoceras Hook. f. -- Dolichopetalum Tsiang -- Dolichostegia Schltr. -- Dorystephania Warb. -- Dregea E. Mey., nom. cons. -- Drepanostemma Jum. & H. Perrier -- Duvalia Haw. -- Duvaliandra M. G. Gilbert -- Echidnopsis Hook. f. -- Ectadium E. Mey. -- Edithcolea N. E. Br. -- Emicocarpus K. Schum. & Schltr. -- Emplectanthus N. E. Br. -- Epistemma D. V. Field & J. B. Hall -- Eustegia R. Br. -- Fanninia Harv. -- Finlaysonia Wall. -- Fischeria DC. -- Fockea Endl. -- Folotsia Costantin & Bois -- Frerea Dalzell -- Funastrum E. Fourn. -- Genianthus Hook. f. -- Glossonema Decne. -- Glossostelma Schltr. -- Gomphocarpus R. Br. -- Gongronema (Endl.) Decne. -- Gongylosperma King & Gamble -- Gonioanthela Malme -- Goniostemma Wight -- Gonolobus Michx. -- Goydera Liede -- Graphistemma (Champ. ex Benth.) Champ. ex Benth. & Hook. f. -- Grisebachiella Lorentz -- Gunnessia P. I. Forst. -- Gymnanthera R. Br. -- Gymnema R. Br. -- Gymnemopsis Costantin -- Harmandiella Costantin -- Harpanema Decne. -- Hemidesmus R. Br. -- Hemipogon Decne. -- Heterostemma Wight & Arn. -- Heynella Backer -- Holostemma R. Br. -- Hoodia Sweet ex Decne. -- Hoya R. Br. -- Hoyella Ridl. -- Huernia R. Br. -- Hypolobus E. Fourn. -- Ischnolepis Jum. & H. Perrier -- Ischnostemma King & Gamble -- Jacaima Rendle -- Jobinia E. Fourn. -- Kanahia R. Br. -- Karimbolea Desc. -- Lagoa T. Durand -- Lavrania Plowes -- Leichardtia R. Br. -- Leptadenia R. Br. -- Lhotzkyella Rauschert -- Lygisma Hook. f. -- Maclaudia Venter & R. L. Verh. -- Macroditassa Malme -- Macroscepis Kunth -- Mahafalia Jum. & H. Perrier -- Mahawoa Schltr. -- Mangenotia Pichon -- Manothrix Miers -- Margaretta Oliv. -- Marsdenia R. Br., nom. cons. -- Matelea Aubl. -- Meladerma Kerr -- Melinia Decne. -- Merrillanthus Chun & Tsiang -- Metalepis Griseb. -- Metaplexis R. Br. -- Metastelma R. Br. -- Metoxypetalum Morillo -- Micholitzia N. E. Br. -- Microloma R. Br. -- Miraglossum Kupicha -- Mitostigma Decne. -- Mondia Skeels -- Morrenia Lindl. -- Myriopteron Griff. -- Nautonia Decne. -- Neoschumannia Schltr. -- Nephradenia Decne. -- Notechidnopsis Lavranos & Bleck -- Odontanthera Wight -- Odontostelma Rendle -- Omphalogonus Baill. -- Oncinema Arn. -- Ophionella Bruyns -- Orbea Haw., nom. cons. prop. -- Orbeanthus L. C. Leach -- Orbeopsis L. C. Leach -- Oreosparte Schltr. -- Orthanthera Wight -- Orthosia Decne. -- Oxypetalum R. Br., nom. cons. -- Oxystelma R. Br. -- Pachycarpus E. Mey. -- Pachycymbium L. C. Leach -- Papuastelma Bullock -- Parapodium E. Mey. -- Pectinaria Haw., nom. cons. -- Pentabothra Hook. f. -- Pentacyphus Schltr. -- Pentanura Blume -- Pentarrhinum E. Mey. -- Pentasacme Wall. ex Wight -- Pentastelma Tsiang & P. T. Li -- Pentatropis R. Br. ex Wight & Arn. -- Pentopetia Decne. -- Peplonia Decne. -- Pergularia L. -- Periglossum Decne. -- Periploca L. -- Pervillaea Decne. -- Petalostelma E. Fourn. -- Petopentia Bullock -- Pherotrichis Decne. -- Philibertia Kunth -- Phyllanthera Blume -- Piaranthus R. Br. -- Platykeleba N. E. Br. -- Pleurostelma Baill. -- Podostelma K. Schum. -- Prosopostelma Baill. -- Pseudolithos P. R. O. Bally -- Pycnorhachis Benth. -- Quaqua N. E. Br. -- Quisumbingia Merr. -- Raphionacme Harv. -- Raphistemma Wall. -- Rhyncharrhena F. Muell. -- Rhynchostigma Benth. -- Rhyssolobium E. Mey. -- Rhyssostelma Decne. -- Rhytidocaulon P. R. O. Bally, nom. cons. -- Richtersveldia Meve & Liede -- Riocreuxia Decne. -- Rojasia Malme -- Sacleuxia Baill. -- Sarcolobus R. Br. -- Sarcorrhiza Bullock -- Sarcostemma R. Br. -- Schistogyne Hook. & Arn. -- Schistonema Schltr. -- Schizoglossum E. Mey. -- Schlechterella K. Schum. -- Schubertia Mart., nom. cons. -- Secamone R. Br. -- Secamonopsis Jum. -- Seshagiria Ansari & Hemadri -- Sisyranthus E. Mey. -- Socotrella Bruyns & A. G. Mill. -- Solenostemma Hayne -- Sphaerocodon Benth. -- Spirella Costantin -- Stapelia L., nom. cons. -- Stapelianthus Choux ex A. C. White & B. Sloane -- Stapeliopsis Pillans -- Stathmostelma K. Schum. -- Stelmacrypton Baill. -- Stelmagonum Baill. -- Stenomeria Turcz. -- Stenostelma Schltr. -- Stephanotis Thouars -- Stigmatorhynchus Schltr. -- Streptocaulon Wight & Arn. -- Strobopetalum N. E. Br. -- Tacazzea Decne. -- Tassadia Decne. -- Tavaresia Welw. -- Telectadium Baill. -- Telminostelma E. Fourn. -- Telosma Coville -- Thozetia F. Muell. ex Benth. -- Toxocarpus Wight & Arn. -- Trachycalymma (K. Schum.) Bullock -- Treutlera Hook. f. -- Trichocaulon N. E. Br. -- Trichosacme Zucc. -- Trichosandra Decne. -- Tridentea Haw. -- Tromotriche Haw. -- Tweedia Hook. & Arn. -- Tylophora R. Br. -- Utleria Bedd. ex Benth. & Hook. f. -- Vailia Rusby -- Vincetoxicopsis Costantin -- Vincetoxicum Wolf -- White-sloanea Chiov. -- Widgrenia Malme -- Woodia Schltr. -- Xysmalobium R. Br. -- Zacateza Bullock -- Zygostelma Benth.
References specific to this family
Cronquist page 879. Sylla, T. & F. Albers. 1989. Samenentwicklung und Samenmorphologie krautiger und sukkulenter Asclepiadaceae. Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 110:479–492.
General references
Corner, E.J.H. 1976. The seeds of Dicots, esp. vol. 2. Cambridge University Press, New York, Cronquist, A. 1981. An integrated system of classification of flowering plants, 1,262 p. Columbia University Press, New York, Engler, A. and K. Prantl. 1924 and onward. Die Natürlichen Pflanzenfamilimien. W. Engelman, Leipzig, Gaertner, J. 1788–1805. De fructibus et seminibus plantarum. The Author, Stuttgart, Goldberg, A. 1986 (dicots) and 1989 (monocots). Classification, evolution, and phylogeny of the familes of Dicotyledons. Smithsonian Contr. Bot. 58 for dicots (314 pp.) and 71 for monocots (74 pp.). [Goldberg's illustrations are reproduced from older publications and these should be consulted], Gunn, C.R. and C.A. Ritchie. 1988. Identification of disseminules listed in the Federal Noxious Weed Act. Techn. Bull. U.S.D.A. 1719:1–313, Gunn, C.R., J.H. Wiersema, C.A. Ritchie, and J.H. Kirkbride, Jr. 1992 and amendments. Families and genera of Spermatophytes recognized by the Agricultural Research Service. Techn. Bull. U.S.D.A. 1796:1–500, Mabberley, D.J. 1987. The plant-book, 706 p. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, Martin, A.C. 1946. The comparative internal morphology of seeds. Amer. Midl. Naturalist 36:513–660, Spjut, R.W. 1994. A systematic treatment of fruit types. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 70:1–182, Wood, C.E., Jr. 1974. A student's atlas of flowering plants: Some dicotyledons of eastern North America, 120 pp. Harper and Row, New York.
Illustrations
Acceptable seed and weak fruit drawings. Disseminule illustration(s): fruit, or seed, or embryo. Fruit illustration(s): Wood, Jr., Gaertner. Seed illustration(s): Gunn & Ritchie, Wood, Jr. Embryo illustration(s): Martin, Gunn & Ritchie.
• Seed. 1 of 9. Asclepias incarnata L.: seeds. • Seed. 2 of 9. Cryptostegia grandiflora R. Br.: seeds. • Seed. 3 of 9. Fockea multiflora K. Schum.: seeds. • Seed. 4 of 9. Gonolobus edulis Hemsl.: seeds. • Seed. 5 of 9. Hoya carnosa (L. f.) R. Br.: seeds. • Seed. 6 of 9. Morrenia odorata (Hook. & Arn.) Lindl.: seeds. • Seed. 7 of 9. Orbea variegata (L.) Haw.: seeds. • Seed. 8 of 9. Toxocarpus wrightianus Hook. & Arn.: seeds. • Embryo. 9 of 9. Gomphocarpus physocarpus E. Mey.: embryo.
We advise against extracting comparative information from the descriptions. This is much more easily achieved using the DELTA data files or the interactive key, which allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting or lacking specified attributes, and distributions of character states within any set of taxa. See also Guidelines for using data taken from Web publications.
Cite this publication as: ‘J.H. Kirkbride, Jr., C.R. Gunn, and M.J. Dallwitz. 2000 onwards. Family guide for fruits and seeds: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. Version: 12th April 2021. delta-intkey.com’.
