76. Zingiberaceae

The ginger family. Approx. 50 genera and 1600 tropical species. The familiar spice comes from the Zingiber genus. Equally important are tumeric (Curcuma longa) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamom, but also sometimes the Amomum genus). There are other spices that come from this family and what they seem to have in common are the health benefits that they bring.

75. Verbenaceae

The verbena or vervain family. Approx. 35 genera and 1200 mostly tropical species. Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora), Lantana, vervain (Verbena genus).

74. Urticaceae

The nettle family. Approx. 53 genera and 2625 species. The famous stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), ramie, the fiber sorce (Boehmeria nivea), the Hawaiian medicinal mamaki (Pipturus albidus), the Pakistani medicinal ajilai (Debregeasia saeneb), the aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei), and the trumpet tree (Cecropia peltata).

73. Ulmaceae

The elm family. Approx. seven genera and 45 species. Ulmus (elms) and Zelkovas (zelkovas) belong to this family. Elms are used ornamentally, for their wood, and medicinally. The winged elm or wahoo, Ulmus alata, is a species that has always intrigued me. I have seen Japanese zelkova, Zelkova serrata, used as a street tree. The famous Dutch elm disease affects this entire family.

72. Symplocaceae

The sweetleaf family. Another small family with two genera and approx. 300 mostly tropical species. One species native to the US is horse-sugar, Symplocos tinctoria.

71. Styracaceae

11 genera and approx. 160 species native to warmer parts of the Northern Hemisphere, usually in the form of shrubs and trees. Members of the Styrax genus are also commonly known as snowbells. Some species are used ornamentally while others are medicinal. The name snowbells can be confusing because some members of the Primulaceae family also use that name. Members of the Halesia genus are called silverbells or snowdrop trees. The tallest specimen of Halesia monticola is 128 feet high and located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

70. Smilacaceae

The greenbrier family. A single genus family (Smilax) with approx. 300 mostly tropical species. The most economically important product is sarsparilla, which is used to make root beer in Jamaica and other tropical countries (whereas American root beer is made from Sassafras in the Lauraceae family).  Some Smilax species also have medicinal uses.

69. Saxifrageceae

The saxifrage family. Approx. 33 genera and 640 species, many native to the American west coast and known for their flowers. Saxifraga (saxifrage), Bensoniella, Heuchera (coral bells), Lithophragma (woodland stars), Mitella (miterworts).

68. Santalaceae

The sandalwood family. Approx. 43 genera and 1000 globally distributed species, many of them parasitic or semi-parasitic. Santalum (sandalwood, the fragrant oils of which are used to make incense), Osyris lancolata (African sandalwood, also used for incense), Buckleya distichophylla (piratebush), Arceuthobium (dwarf mistletoes), Comandra (used as a narcotic by the Navajos), Nestronia (leechbrush), Phoradendron (also mistletoe), Viscum (more species of mistletoe, including the most common - Viscum album, European mistletoe - all of which are toxic).

67. Ranunculaceae

The buttercup or crowfoot family. 43 genera and approx. 2000 species, mostly familiar for their flowers, but also a source of herbal remedies. Ranunculis (buttercups), Delphinium (larkspur), Clematis, Consolida (also larkspur), Helleborus (Christmas rose), Thalictrum (meadow-rue), Actaea racemosa (black cohosh), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Nigella sativa (used as a spice in Asia). Some genera, such as Aconitum and Delphinium, are mostly very toxic.

66. Rafflesiaceae

A family of rare, tropical, parasitic Asian plants consisting of three genera and 15 species. It is famous for the species Rafflesia arnoldii, the largest single flower on earth, commonly known as corpse flower due to its smell of rotting flesh. This is not to be confused with Corypha umbraculifera in the Arecaceae family, which produces the largest inflorescence (multiple flowers) on earth, or Amorphophallus titanum in the Araceae family (also smelling of rotting flesh), which produces the largest unbranched inflorescence on earth.

65. Primulaceae

The primrose family. Approx. 53 genera and 2790 species, including many striking flowers - scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), rock jasmine (Androsace), Cyclamen, shooting star (Dodecatheon), loosestrife (Lysimachia), primrose (Primula), snowbells (Soldanella).

64. Portolacaceae

The purslane family. A single genus family - Portulaca - with 115 species. The familiar North American succulent weed - Portulaca oleracea - is found throughout the world and in many places used as a nutritious food. Not only is it high in vitamins and minerals, but it is said to have the highest omega-3 fatty acid content of any plant. Another species, Portulaca grandiflora, is grown as an ornamental.

63. Pontederiaceae

The water hyacinth family (distinct from hyacinths). Six genera and 34 species. Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinths), a fast-growing aquatic plant from South America, invasive in other areas. In an effort to solve that problem in Louisiana, a bill was proposed in the 1880's to import hippopotamus from Africa. The hippopotamus in turn would be used as food. The bill did not pass.

62. Polemoniaceae

The phlox or Jacob's-ladder family. Approx. 25 genera and 300 mostly American species. Among the genera grown ornamentally are Ipomopsis (scarlet gilia), Phlox and Polemonium. The national flower of Peru and Bolivia is Cantua buxifolia (kantuta).

61. Piperaceae

The pepper family. 13 genera and 3,600 tropical species. Piper nigrum is the source of the spice black pepper. The Peperomia genus is known as radiator plant.

60. Phrymaceae

The lopseed family. 13 genera and 210 species mainly native to Australia and North America. Sticky monkey flower (Diplacus aurantiacus), Mimulus, Phryma, Erythranthe, Thyridia.

59. Passifloraceae

The passion flower family. Approx. 27 genera and 750 species. Some well known vines are edible passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), and ornamental maypop (Passiflora incarnata) and running pop (passiflora foetida).

58. Papaveraceae

The poppy family. Approx. 42 genera and 775 species, curiously found all over the world except the tropics. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica - the California state flower), Romneya (Matalija poppy or fried egg flower, above), Papaver somniferum, source of opium, morphine, and codeine - as well as the poppy seeds on your muffin.

57. Pandanaceae

Five genera and 982 tropical species. A mature Pandanus tectorius (also known as Tahitian screwpine) is a striking sight, and although native to the South Pacific, I recall seeing my first in Costa Rica (above).

56. Oxalidaceae

The wood sorrel family. Two genera and 570 species. One genus, Averrhoa, is very small and includes tropical starfruit (Averrhoa carambola). The other genus, Oxalis (above), contains most of this family's species. Many members resemble clover and are therefore sometimes called false shamrocks, whereas the taste is similar to sorrel (Rumex). Some botanists place Averrhoa in its own family, Averrhoaceae.

55. Orobanchaceae

The broomrapes family. Approx. 90 genera and 2000 mostly parasitic species. Best known to me is Indian paintbrush (the Castilleja genus, which itself has around 200 species). Native Americans used the edible flowers to supplement their salads; its nutritional value has been compared to garlic.

54. Orchidaceae

The orchid family, the second largest of all the angiosperms (flowering plants) with approx. 763 genera and 28,000 species (the largest being the aster family with 1,191 genera and 32,913 species). The Vanilla genus is the most economically important. Many others, including Phalaenopsis and Cattleya, are cultivated as ornamentals. The type genus is Orchis.

53. Onagraceae

The evening primrose or willowherb family. 17 genera and approx. 650 species. Fuchsia, Clarkia, Epilobium, and fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium).

52. Nepentheceae

The pitcher plant family. A monotypic family with one tropical genus - Nepenthes - and approx. 150 species. These carnivorous plants attract and capture insects with a syrupy substance inside "pitchers". The largest species have been known to also capture small vertebrates, such as lizards.

51. Myristicaceae

The nutmeg family. 20 genera and approx. 440 tropical species. The famously prized spice Myristica fragans is the source of nutmeg and mace. Some species contain toxic or hallucinogenic alkaloids, whereas trees in this family are valued for their wood. Other genera of interest are Horsfieldia and Knema.

50. Myricaceae

Three genera and approx. 55 species. Wax-myrtle or bayberry (Myrica), sweet-fern (Comptonia), and the rare, monotypic Canacomyrica monticola from New Caledonia.

49. Moringaceae

A single genus family, Moringa, which has 13 tropical species native to Africa, Madagascar and India. Moringa trees are striking trees that bring to mind baobabs, although baobabs (Adansonia) belong to the malvaceae family.

48. Montiaceae

14 genera and approx. 230 species. Miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), Lewisia (named for the explorer Meriwether Lewis), Montia. Claytonia perfoliata was formerly called Montia perfoliata, and sometimes other Montia species are called miner's lettuce.

47. Menispermaceae

68 genera and approx. 440 mostly tropical species. This family is another source of the toxins in curare. Modern and traditional pharmaceuticals make use of this and other alkaloids present in the family.

46. Melastomataceae

 

A large family with 165 genera and 5115 species. The best known to me is Tibouchina (above), a native of the American tropics and occasionally grown in U.S. gardens for its striking ornamental beauty.

45. Melanthiaceae

The bunchflower family. 17 genera and 173 species. Bear grass (Xerophyllum tenax, above), Trillium, Paris quadrifolia.

44. Marantaceae

The arrowroot or prayer-plant family. 29 genera and approx. 570 mostly tropical species. Arrowroot (Maranta arundinaceae) has long been cultivated for its starchy, edible rhizomes. Calathea, Maranta and Stromanthe are cultivated as houseplants. Some genera, such as Thalia, grow in wetlands.

43. Malpighiaceae

Approx. 73 genera and 1315 mostly tropical American species. Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) is a well known, nutritious fruit resembling a cherry.

42. Loganiaceae

Approx. 13 genera and 400 tropical species, many of them poisonous. The family had been much larger until some species were moved to the Gentianaceae, Gelsemiaceae and other families. The Strychnos genus is the source of the toxic alkaloids strychnine and curare.

41. Linaceae

14 genera and approx. 250 species. Best known is Linum usitatissimum, the source of flax, linen (from the fibers), and linseed oil (from the seeds). The wild form of this cultivar is Linum bienne.

40. Liliaceae

The lily family. 15 genera and approx. 705 species. Lilies (Lilium), tulips (Tulipia), bead lilies (Clintonia), mariposa (Calochortus).

39. Lecythidaceae

Approx. 20 genera and 300 species of tropical plants found in Madagascar, the Pacific Islands, and South America. The Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) is by far the best known; it grows not only in Brazil but throughout the South American tropics, as does the paradise nut (Lecythis), which is also edible.

38. Iridaceae

The iris family. 66 genera and approx. 2240 species. In addition to Iris, other well known ornamental flowers in this family are Crocus, Freesia, and Gladiolus.

37. Hydrangeaceae

Nine genera and approx. 220 species. It had been a larger family until some seven genera were split off to create the Philadelphaceae family. The ornamental shrub Hydrangea macrophylla, a native of Japan, is the most familiar species.

36. Hamamelidaceae

 

The witch-hazel family. Approx. 30 genera and 140 species. Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), source of the well known astringent, used by Native and non-native Americans alike. Winter hazel (Corylopsis genus). Fothergilla, native to the southeast U.S. Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica), a rare ornamental tree (seen above at Bailey Arboretum in Lattingtown, NY).

35. Haemodoraceae

The bloodwort family. 14 genera and 102 species, mainly found in the Southern Hemisphere. Best known is kangaroo paw (various Anigozanthos and Macropidia species), not surprisingly from Australia.

34. Gunneraceae

 

A single genus family - Gunnera - with 63 species. There used to be a second genus - Myrothamnus - but that one became its own family, Myrothamnaceae. The two are still closely related. My closest encounter with Gunnera was poor man's umbrella (Gunnera insignis) in Costa Rice (above). The leaves can be over five feet wide.

33. Grossulariaceae

The currant or gooseberry family. A single genus, Ribes, with approx. 150 species. Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), redcurrant (Ribes rubrum), gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa).

32. Geraniaceae

The geranium family. Seven genera and 830 species. Geranium (cranesbill), Erodium (filaree, heron's bill, storksbill), California. Yes, there is a genus called California.

31. Gelsemiaceae

This is a small, obscure family consisting of three genera and 12 species. The three genera are: Gelsemium (three species), Mostuea (eight species) and Ptelocarpa (one species). This is a recently reformed family that has been the subject of much reclassification. Swamp jessamine (Gelsemium rankinii) and yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) are are native to the southeastern U.S. The other species, including the pan-Asiatic heartbreak grass (Gelsemium elegans), are spread throughout the tropics.

30. Erythroxylaceae

The coca family. Four genera and approx. 240 species, the best known being Erythroxylum coca, one of the sources of the drug cocaine. The other "coca plant" is Erythroxylum novogranatense. It is interesting to remember that the original Coca-Cola was exactly what the name suggested: coca extract combined with those of the caffeinated kola nut. The use of active cocaine ended in 1903, after which the soda switched to "cocaine-free coca leaf extract". Another species, Erythroxylum vaccinifolium, is the source of catuaba, a substance used as a stimulant and aphrodisiac by the Indians of the Amazon.

29. Equisetaceae

The horsetail family. A single genus family (Equisetum) with about 20 species. Like cycads, Equisitum are considered "living fossils" - in their case the lineage goes back to the Paleozoic Era. Among their common names are horsetail, due to their appearance, puzzlegrass, and scouring-rush, this due to the fact that the tough stems make good scouring brushes.

28. Droseraceae

The sundew family. Three genera and approx. 180 species, all carnivorous, the most famous being the venus fly trap (Dionaea muscipula). Less well known is the waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa), a sort of aquatic variation of the same idea.

27. Dioscoreaceae

The yam family. Nine genera and approx. 715 species. The familiar edible yam belongs to the Dioscorea genus, which is named after the ancient Greek botanist Pedanius Dioscorides. Some of these yams contain steroidal hormones that can be used for contraception.

26. Dennstaedtiaceae

One of the fern families. 10 genera and 240 species. One of the most common ferns, Pteridium aquilinum (brackenfern), is in this family. The term bracken is synonymous with the genus Pteridium.

25. Cyrillaceae

A tiny family containing only two genera and two species. The one I have encountered is Cyrilla racemiflora, also known as swamp titi. It is native to tropical America and also found in the southeastern U.S.

24. Cycadaceae

The cycad family. Only one genus, Cycas, with approx. 113 species. Cycads have an ancient lineage; they are leftover from the Jurassic period, and native only to the Old World tropics. They generally live a long time, sometimes over 1,000 years. The best collections of cycads I have ever seen, which is one of the best in the world, is at Lotusland in Santa Barbara, CA (above).

23. Crassulaceae

The stonecrop or orpine family. Approx. 35 genera and 1400 species (the number of genera is in dispute). Most people would recognize these plants as succulents. Jade (Crassula ovata), Kalanchoe, Sedum, Dudleya, Sempervivum, Echeveria.

22. Convolvulaceae

The morning glory or bindweed family. 60 genera and approx. 1650 species, mostly shrubs and vines. Some are regarded as weeds, and some contain psychedelic substances. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), morning glory, bindweed, dodder. Sweet potatoes are actually distantly related to common potatoes, which are in the Solanaceae family.

21. Commelinaceae

The spiderwort or dayflower family. 41 genera and approx. 730 tropical species, mainly flowers and houseplants. Wandering jew (Tradescantia), dayflower (Commelina).

20. Combretaceae

The buttonwood family. 10 genera and approx. 530 mainly tropical species. The most familiar to me is buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), which is abundant in the Florida Everglades.

19. Clethraceae

Two genera and 75 species. Although mostly found in the tropics, there are some species native to North America - mountain pepperbush (Clethra acuminata) and sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). The other genus, Purdiaea, is native to Latin America, with the greatest concentration in Cuba.

18. Casuarinaceae

Four genera and 91 species, all natives of southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania. They are evergreens that resemble conifers but are not. Casuarina trees are widely used for timber and windbreaks. The name "casuarina" is related to the Malay name for "cassowary"; evidently there is some resemblance between the trees and the birds. Above, the very distinctive desert oaks (Allocasuarina decaisneana) of the Australian outback, looking like longleaf pines.

17. Caricaceae

The papaya family. Six genera and approx. 35 species, including the edible fruits papaya or pawpaw (Carica papaya) and babaco (Vasconcellea, above). Papaya is also the source of papain, an enzyme used to tenderize meat.

16. Cardiopteridaceae

Six genera and 43 mostly tropical species. Citronella mucronata, a native of Chile, is used as a landscaping tree. The Citronella genus is not related to the citronella oil used to repel insects; that oil comes from lemongrass (Cymbopogon) in the grass family (Poaceae).

15. Caprifoliaceae

The honeysuckle family. 42 genera and approx. 860 species. Lonicera (honeysuckle), Symphoricarpos (snowberry), Kolkwitzia (beauty bush), Dipsacus (teasel), Scabiosa (pincusion flowers), Plectritis (seablushes), Valeriana (valerians), Valerianella (cornsalads).

14. Cannabaceae

The hemp or hops family. 11 genera and 170 species, the best known being Cannabis sativa, also known as hemp, and Humulus lupulus, also known as hops. The latter is one of the main flavoring agents of beer. For people who like beer and marijuana, this is an important family. The Celtis genus includes the ornamental trees known as hackberries, although they go by other names, such as the sugarberry tree (Celtis laevigata).

13. Cannaceae

The canna lily family. This is a single genus family with 10 tropical species, the best known probably being Canna indica. Used both as an ornamental with showy flowers (above) and also as a source of food starch. The seeds are so hard that they were used in lieu of bullets in 19th century India.

12. Canellaceae

Five genera and 25 tropical species. Canella winterana is cultivated as a spice that tastes similar to cinnamon. Many species are endemic to the Caribbean islands.

11. Calycanthaceae

Also known as the sweetshrubs or spicebushes. Three genera and ten species, the one familiar to me being the sweetshrub or smooth strawberry shrub (Calycanthus floridus).

10. Bromeliaceae

The pineapple family. 51 genera and approx. 3500 mainly tropical species. Pineapple (Ananas comosus), Puya chilensis (above, seen at the Adelaide Botanic Garden), Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides - below, seen in Mandeville, LA). The enzyme bromelain is extracted from pineapples and used as a meat tenderizer, as well as for some medical applications.

9. Bixaceae

The achiote family. Three genera and 25 species. Achiote (Bixa orellana) is the source of annatto, a yellow-orange food coloring. This South American native is also sometimes called "lipstick tree".

8. Begoniaceae

The begonia family. Two genera: Hillebrandia, consisting of a single Hawaiian species, and Begonia, consisting of approx. 1800 mostly tropical species. The Begonia genus is among the largest and is well known for its ornamental houseplants and flowers. Begonia was named after Michel Bégon, a governor of St. Domingue, the former French colony.

7. Asphodelaceae

The aloe family. Approx. 40 genera and 900 species. Aloe, Haworthia, Xanthorrhoea. The grass tree above (Xanthorrhoea) is a native of Australia but resides at Lotusland in Santa Barbara, CA.

6. Aristolochiaceae

The birthwort family. Seven genera and 400 species. Dutchman's-pipe (Aristolochia californica). Although used in traditional Chinese medicine, aristolochic acid - a toxin found in many of the species - has been determined to be carcinogenic.

5. Araliaceae

 

The ivy or aralia family. Approx. 45 genera and 254 species. Panax (ginseng), Hedera, Schefflera, Aralia spinosa (devil's walking stick). Not all members are vines or ivy as we usually think of it; note the puka tree above (Meryta sinclairii), a striking native of New Zealand.

4. Aquifoliaceae

The holly family. A single genus, Ilex, containing approx. 500 species including possumhaw, yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), mochi tree, guayusa, and yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis).

3. Apiaceae

The carrot, parsley or celery family. 434 genera and over 3700 species. This family is an herbal powerhouse: Angelica, anise, caraway, carrot, celery, chervil, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, hemlock, lovage, parsley, parsnip, sea holly, to name fifteen of them.

2. Annonaceae

The custard apple family. 108 genera and approx. 2400 species. Custard apple, cherimoya (above), sweetsop, soursop, graviola, pawpaw.