Some Families of Angiosperms 



533 



Fig. 336. Leaves and flower of the tulip 

 tree {Liriodendron tidipifera). This mag- 

 nificent tree of the deciduous forest is 

 closely related to the magnolias. 



plants, like pondweeds, pickerel 

 weed, cat-tails, rushes, eel grass, 

 and water hyacinths. 



Without further examples it 

 is evident that most of the 

 monocot families attain their 

 best development in the tropical 

 and subtropical countries. 



DICOTYLEDONS 



Willow family {Salicaceae) . 



Among the most widely distrib- 

 uted trees and shrubs of the 

 northern hemisphere are the wil- 

 low^s and poplars. Both have sim- 

 ple naked flowers in catkins, and the staminate flowers and car- 

 peUate flowers occur on different individuals. Both willows 

 and poplars reproduce freely from cuttings. The poplars, 

 especially the cottonwood, is used for paper pulp. Some species 

 of willow are grown for their sprouts, which are used in making 

 baskets and furniture. 



Beech family (Fagaceae). The beech family includes the. 

 beeches, oaks, and chestnuts. The fruit consists of a cup-like 

 structure inclosing one, two, or three nuts. They are chiefly 

 valuable for their timber products. 



Closely related to the beech family is another family of trees 

 and shrubs, the birch family {BetulacecE), which includes the 

 birches, hornbeams, hazels, and alders. All these plants have 

 very simple flowers in spikes or catkins, and most of them are 

 wind-pollinated. 



Buttercup family (Ranunculace^) . This family is typical of 

 a large order, known as the Ranales, which includes many 

 common herbs, trees, and shrubs : the buttercups, water lilies, 

 anemones, columbine, May apple, larkspur, sassafras, tulip tree. 



