Adoxaceae

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Adoxaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes five genera and about 150-200 species. It is commonly known as the moschatel family. The family is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with a few species also found in the subtropical and tropical regions.

Description[edit | edit source]

Adoxaceae are small to medium-sized deciduous shrubs, rarely small trees or herbaceous perennials. The leaves are opposite, simple or compound. The flowers are small, with five petals, and are produced in cymes. The fruit is a small drupe.

Taxonomy[edit | edit source]

The family Adoxaceae was first described by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1820. It was traditionally included in the family Caprifoliaceae, but molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that it is distinct. The family now includes the genera Adoxa, Sambucus, Sinadoxa, Tetradoxa, and Viburnum.

Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]

Adoxaceae are found in a wide range of habitats, from forests and grasslands to wetlands and rocky areas. They are most common in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, but a few species are found in the subtropics and tropics.

Uses[edit | edit source]

Many species in the Adoxaceae family are cultivated for their ornamental value. The most well-known is probably the elderberry (Sambucus), which is also used for its edible fruits and flowers. Some species of Viburnum are also popular garden plants.

File:Adoxaceae - Sambucus nigra.jpg
Sambucus nigra, a member of the Adoxaceae family

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


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