Envoy at 07:10, 1 September 2007

2007-09-01T07:10:45Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Amaranthaceae
| image = A_splendens.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Achyranthes splendens'' var. ''rotundata''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Caryophyllales]]
| familia = '''Amaranthaceae'''
| type_genus = ''[[Amaranthus]]''
| type_genus_authority= [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies
| subdivision =
[[Amaranthoideae]]<br />
[[Chenopodioideae]]<br />
[[Gomphrenoideae]]<br />
[[Salicornioideae]]<br />
[[Salsoloideae]]
}}

The [[flowering plant]] family '''Amaranthaceae''', the Amaranth family, contains about 160 genera and 2,400 species. Most of these species are [[herb]]s or [[shrub|subshrub]]s; very few are [[tree]]s or climbers.

This is a widespread and [[cosmopolitan family]] found mostly in subtropical and tropical regions, although many species belong in cool temperate regions.

In the [[APG II system]], of 2003 (unchanged from the [[APG system]], of 1998), the family is placed in the order [[Caryophyllales]]. It includes the plants formerly treated as the family [[Chenopodiaceae]]. Well-known chenopodioid species include [[beet]], [[goosefoot]], [[quinoa]], and [[spinach]]. The main differences between Amaranthaceae and Chenopodiaceae are membraneous petals and stamens often united in a ring structure.

Prior to the incorporation of Chenopodiaceae, the Amaranthaceae (in their narrow circumscription) contained only about 65 genera and 900 species. Most of these species occur in tropical [[Africa]] and [[North America]]. Some species are considered [[weed]]s, but a number of others are popular garden [[ornamental plant]]s, especially species from ''[[Alternanthera]]'', ''[[Amaranthus]]'', ''[[Celosia]]'', and ''[[Iresine]]''. Notable members include [[amaranth]] and [[tumbleweed]]s. Many of the species are [[halophyte]]s, growing in [[sodium chloride|salty]] soils.

The [[Leaf|leaves]] are simple, opposite or alternate, their margins entire or coarsely toothed, and without [[stipule]]s. In most cases, there are neither basal or terminal aggregations of leaves.

The [[flower]]s are solitary or aggregated in [[cyme]]s, [[Raceme|spike]]s, or [[panicle]]s and typically perfect (bisexual) and [[actinomorphic]]. A few species have unisexual flowers. The [[bracteate]] flowers are regular with 4-5 [[petal]]s, often joined. There are 1-5 [[stamen]]s. The hypogynous [[ovary (plants)|ovary]] has 3-5 joined [[sepal]]s.

The [[fruit]] can be an [[utricle (fruit)|utricle]], [[Nut (fruit)|nut]], or circumscissile [[Capsule (fruit)|capsule]], rarely a [[berry]].

{{commonscat|Amaranthaceae}}
== References==
* Kai Müller and Thomas Borsch - Phylogenetics of Amaranthaceae based on matK/trnK sequence data - Evidence from parsimony, likelihood and Bayesian analyses. ''Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden'' 92 (1): 66–102.

[[Category:Amaranthaceae]]
[[Category:Plant families]]

Amaranthaceae - Revision history

Envoy at 07:10, 1 September 2007