Botany - B.Ye. Yakubenko 2017

Part Three. Kingdom Plantae
Chapter IX. Division Angiosperms, or Flowering Plants (Angiospermae, Magnoliophyta)
Laboratory Session Topic 14.45. Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae)

General Remarks. The buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) comprises mostly herbaceous perennials, and less frequently shrubs or lianas (45 genera and about 2,000 species). Leaves are alternate, occasionally opposite, predominantly simple, and lack stipules. Flowers are actinomorphic or zygomorphic; the perianth has an indefinite or definite number of parts, showing various transitions from simple to double; stamens are typically numerous, while pistils range from several to many, rarely being solitary. The Ovary contains one or more ovules. Fruits include simple or aggregate follicles, aggregate achenes, or aggregate nutlets. The family includes numerous toxic and harmful plants dangerous to both humans and animals. The plants contain the alkaloid anemonin.

When examining representatives of this family, attention should be paid to the floral Structure, which can be actinomorphic (such as in buttercups and marsh marigolds) or zygomorphic (such as in larkspurs). This floral diversity is explained by the fact that individual genera are at different stages of evolution. Some plants exhibit features of a more primitive Organization—such as a simple perianth, an indefinite number of floral parts arranged spirally on a convex receptacle, and the absence of nectaries—as seen in anemones and marsh marigolds. Others display features of higher specialization adapted to insect pollination, such as the spur in columbines (Aquilegia) and the zygomorphic perianth in larkspurs (Consolida) and monkshoods (Aconitum). Important diagnostic features also include The structure of the underground Organs, leaf shape and arrangement, and fruit types.

Objects of Study:

1. Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris L.)

2. Yellow wood anemone (Anemone ranunculoides L.)

3. Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris L.)

4. Forking larkspur (Consolida regalis S. F. Gray)

5. Eastern pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill.)

6. Fennel-leaved Water-crowfoot (Batrachium foeniculaceum (Gilib.) V. Krecz.)

Tasks:

1. Familiarize yourselves with The Diversity of the Ranunculaceae family, perform

a written morphological analysis, and identify the plant species.

2. Examine the morphological analysis and plant identification using the marsh marigold as an example.

3. Study the General characteristics of the buttercup family.

Equipment and Materials: MBR-1 Microscope, hand lenses, scalpels, razor blades, dissecting needles, botanical keys, herbarium specimens and live material, laboratory notebook, and other accessories.

Macroscopic examination. Begin your Study of the plants by analyzing their morphological structure following the description outline provided in this laboratory exercise. The marsh marigold is a perennial herbaceous plant standing 15–50 cm tall. Its ROOT system is fibrous with thickened adventitious roots. The stem is branched, ascending, and glabrous. Leaves are entire, scalloped along the margin, and glossy; the basal leaves are cordate, while the upper ones are reniform. The perianth is simple and petaloid, consisting of five or numerous golden-yellow segments. The fruit is an aggregate follicle. The plant is poisonous.

Following a thorough morphological analysis, proceed to identify the plant using a botanical key. Record each step of the identification process in your notebook.

Family identification path: 1, 9 —, 15, 16, 17 —, 42 —, 47 —, 48 —, 49 —, 73, 74 —, 75 —, 76, 77 —, 78 —, 84 —. Ranunculaceae (p. 266).

Genus identification path: 1 —, 4 —, 16 —, 18. Marsh marigold — Caltha.

Species identification path: 1. Marsh marigold — Caltha palustris L.

Conclusion. The Ranunculaceae represent one of the primitive—or rather, simply structured—and ancient plant families. Evidence of this includes the indefinite number of perianth, androecium, and gynoecium elements; the spiral arrangement of floral parts on a convex receptacle; predominantly superior Ovaries; and apocarpous fruits. Evolution within this family progressed from multi-pistillate to single-pistillate states.

Class="center">Self-Check Questions

1. What life forms are typical of the Ranunculaceae family?

2. What leaf shapes and arrangements are characteristic of plants in this family?

3. What types of flowers are found in the buttercup family?

4. How can the great diversity of flowers within individual genera of this family be explained?

5. Name the types of inflorescences found in various representatives of this family.

6. Name the types of fruits characteristic of Ranunculaceae.

7. Name the most poisonous plants of this family.