Cruciferae

Cruciferae or Brassicaceae is a medium-sized and economically important family of flowering plants commonly known as the mustards, the crucifers, or the cabbage family. The name is derived from the type genus Crucifera. The family includes over 330 genera and about 3,700 species.

Description

The Cruciferae family is characterized by four-petaled flowers, in the form of a cross, and their seedpods, which are like a tiny musical instrument called a lyre. The plants are annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, rarely woody shrubs or small trees.

Distribution

The family is found throughout the world, but is most diverse in the Mediterranean area and the Irano-Turanian Region.

Economic Importance

Many plants of the Cruciferae family are cultivated for their edible leaves, roots, and seeds. These include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, turnip, rapeseed, mustard, radish, horseradish, cress, and watercress.

Taxonomy

The family Cruciferae is included in the order Brassicales, in the class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons), in the division Magnoliophyta (flowering plants).

See Also

• Brassicaceae
• Brassicales
• Magnoliopsida
• Magnoliophyta

References

Cruciferae Resources
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