Diversity and Evolutionof Monocots. . . spiderworts, bananas, pineapples . . .Commelinids4 main groups:• Acorales - sister to all monocots• Alismatids– inc. Aroids - jack in the pulpit• Lilioids (lilies, orchids, yams)– non-monophyletic– petaloid• Commelinids– Arecales – palms– Commelinales – spiderwort– Zingiberales –banana– Poales– pineapple– grasses & sedgesCommelinids• theme: reduction of flower, loss ofnectar, loss of zoophily, evolution ofbractspickeral weedrapateadgrassbromeliadCommelinales + Zingiberales• 2 closely related tropical orders• primarily nectar bearing but with losses• bracted inflorescencespickeral weednectarspiderwortpollen onlyheliconiabractsCommelinaceae - spiderwortTradescantia ohiensis - spiderwortFamily of small herbs with succulentstems, stems jointed; leavessheathing. Family does not producenectar, but showy flowers for insectpollen gathering.Commelina erecta - Erect dayflowerCommelinaceae - spiderwortTradescantia ohiensis - spiderwortInflorescence often bractedRhoeo - Moses in a cradleCommelinaceae - spiderwortTradescantia ohiensis - spiderwortFlowers actinomorphic orzygomorphicCommelina communis - day flowerCA 3 CO 3 A 6 G (3)Commelinaceae - spiderwort• species rich in pantropics,especially Africa• floral diversity is enormousPontederiaceae - pickerel weedAquatic family of emergents or floaters.Water hyacinth (Eichhornia) fromtropical America is invasive species insubtropical areas of the world.Eichhornia crassipesWater hyacinthinvading FloridaPickerel weed has glossy heart-shaped leaves,superficially like Sagittaria but without net venation.Flowers are in congested showy purple inflorescences.Pontederiaceae - pickerel weedPontederia cordata - Pickerel weedPontederia cordata - Pickerel weedFlowers are showy, insectpollinated with nectar glands -previously placed in Liliales!Pontederiaceae - pickerel weedHaemodoraceae - kangaroo pawAnigozanthus - kangaroo pawSmall family with floral nectar,species radiations in Australia andSouth AfricaZingiberales• strongly supported group of 8 tropicalfamilies• rhizomatous monocots with showy,nectared, but highly bracted flowers• 3 shared features:1. Parallel-pinnate leaves, oftendistichousZingiberales• strongly supported group of 8 tropicalfamilies• rhizomatous monocots with showy,nectared, but highly bracted flowers• 3 shared features:2. Bracted flowersand inflorescencesZingiberales• strongly supported group of 8 tropicalfamilies• rhizomatous monocots with showy,nectared, but highly bracted flowers• 3 shared features:3. Inferior ovaryZingiberalesDNA-based Zingiberales “rhizogram” by John Kress• order fairly well known based on DNA and morphology• show interesting trends in (1) fusion of perianth and (2) stamenloss and staminode developmentCostus floral pattern3 fused sepals3 separate petals5 fused sterile anthers(labellum)1 fertile antherS SSPP PAAAAAAZingiberalesMusaceae - banana• robust herbs with spiralled phyllotaxy• fleshy fruitsMusa X paradisica(sterile triploid)cultivated bananaZingiberalesMusaceae - banana• unisexual flowers• “tubular” flowers [3 sepals + 2 petals]• 5 fertile stamensZingiberalesStrelitziaceae - bird of paradise• woody trunks (usually) with distichous leaves• 2 fused petals (elaborated flowers for differentpollination systems: bird, marsupial, bat)• 5 or 6 fertile stamensZingiberalesStrelitziaceae - bird of paradisePhenakospermumGuayana ShieldRavenalaMadagascarStrelitziaSouth Africa• 3 genera of Gondwanan distributionOrchidantha of SE Asiaand PacificZingiberalesLowiaceae - orchidantha• 1 genus• perianth tube = 3 sepals• 1 petal = “labellum”• 5 fertile stamensZingiberalesHeliconiaceae - heliconia• primarily Neotropical• robust herbs with distichousphyllotaxy• showy bract systemZingiberalesHeliconiaceae - heliconia• flowers inverted (resupinate)• 5 stamens + staminode• flower mitesZingiberalesCostaceae - costus• robust herbs with spiral phyllotaxy• double bracted flowersZingiberalesCostaceae - costus• two major groups - insect pollinated and bird pollinated• “labellum” formed from 5 sterile stamensZingiberalesZingiberaceae - ginger• robust herbs with distichous phyllotaxy• ethereal aromatic (ginger)ZingiberalesZingiberaceae - ginger• striking floral diversity andpollinatorsZingiberalesCannaceae - canna• only Canna of Neotropics• asymmetrical flowersZingiberalesMarantaceae - prayer plant• pantropical, petiolate leaved• pairs of asymmetricalflowersPoales I - showy flowers4 main groups:• Acorales - sister to all monocots• Alismatids– inc. Aroids - jack in the pulpit• Lilioids (lilies, orchids, yams)– non-monophyletic– petaloid• Commelinids– Arecales – palms– Commelinales – spiderwort– Zingiberales –banana– Poales– pineapple– grasses & sedges• showy flowers,insect or birdpollinated• +/- reducedflowers, insect orwind pollinated• reducedflowers, windpollinatedPoales I - showy flowers*Bromeliaceae - pineapples• mainly epiphytic, but terrestrial as well ininhospitable regions*Bromeliaceae - pineapples• key adaptations: CAM photosynthesis, modifiedtrichomes or scales, “tank” formationScales (water & nutrientuptake)Tank (water impounding)*Bromeliaceae - pineapples• key adaptations: CAM photosynthesis, modifiedtrichomes or scales, “tank” formation• scales very visible inSpanish mossTillandsia usneoides inSouth Carolina live oaks*Bromeliaceae - pineapples• preadaptations to carnivory in Brocchinia andCatopsisAmino acidsradioactivelylabeled beingincorporated intothe scales ofBrocchiniaBrocchinia Catopsis*Bromeliaceae - pineapples• inflorescence heavily bracted and often theattractant*Bromeliaceae - pineapples CA 3 CO 3 A 6 G (3) or G (3)__• petals showy, but not the sepals• 2 sets of 3 stamens• superior or inferior ovary, withtwisted styles• berry or capsule*Bromeliaceae - pineapples1 species of Pitcairnia in west Africa -vicariance or dispersal?• bromeliads are an American family: 2600 species, 56generaguava*Bromeliaceae - pineapples• pineapple not native to Hawaii - along with two otheringredients of Hawaiian Punchpassion fruit*Bromeliaceae - pineapples• classification traditionally had three subfamiliestillandsioids pitcairnioidsbromelioidsIncan ceremonial dance*Bromeliaceae - pineapples• tillandsioidsVrieseaTillandsia usneoides and T. grandis*Bromeliaceae - pineapples•