Scrophulariaceae

Abstract

According to APG IV, Scrophulariaceae, in the order of Lamiales, is a family of dicotyledonous flowering plants, narrow to about 62 genera with approximately 1830 species, cosmopolitan, mostly distributed in temperate regions. Plants are usually herbs or shrubs and rarely trees. Leaves are usually simple, opposite, and less often alternate or whorled. Stipules are absent. Inflorescences are racemose, spicate or cymose, and usually arranged to coniform. Flowers are bisexual, usually zygomorphic. Calyx is 4–5-lobed, rarely 6–8-lobed, and usually persistent. Corolla are connate, rotate or broadly campanulate or with cylindriform tube, 4–5-lobed, lobes unequal more or less, or 2-lipped. Upper lip is bifid, or nose-shaped or falcate, prolonging to form a pocket shape. Below lip is trifid, slightly flat, sac-like. Stamens are inserted on corolla tube, usually four, didynamous, less often two or five, with one to two staminodes. Anthers are 1–2-loculed, free, or more or less confluent. Disk is present or absent. Ovary is superior, 2-loculed, with many ovules per locule, less often with two ovules. Styles are one. Stigma is bifid or capitate. Fruit is a capsule, rarely a berry, septicidal or loculicidal, or pore dehiscent, and rarely indehiscent. Seeds are numerous and sometimes winged or testa reticulate. Endosperm is fleshy. Embryo is flat and straight or slightly curved. Two species, belonging to Siphonostegia genus, are illustrated in this chapter.