Diversity and Evolutionof Monocots. . . palms, spiderworts, bananas, andpineapples . . .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• strongly monophyletic!• bound ferulic acid in cell walls(fluoresce under UV withammonium hydroxide added)• this feature allowed placement ofDasypogonaceae• largest group of monocots rangingfrom palms to grassesCommelinidsDasypogonaceae4 genera - W AustraliaCommelinids• theme: reduction of flower, loss ofnectar, loss of zoophily, evolution ofbractspickeral weedrapateadgrassbromeliad*Arecaceae - palms• the order has one family - alsocalled Palmae• 190 genera and 2400 species oftrees and shrubs• tropics, subtropics, deserts,Mediterranean biomes*Arecaceae - palms• greatest center of diversity inMalay archipelago, thenAmazonia• depauperate in Africa, butdiverse in MadagascarMalaysiaMadagascar*Arecaceae - palms• Rattan palms - a plant group that honors the WallaceBiogeographic Line• Asian distribution with few species passing through Sulawesior New GuineaRattan palm & genericdistributions*Arecaceae - palmsSyagrus - lilliput palm of ParaguayJubaea - Chilean wine palmGreat morphological diversity: in stature*Arecaceae - palmsLodoicea maldivica - Seychelles palm or double nutGreat morphological diversity: largest seed of seed plantsLodoicea maldivica - Seychelles palm or double nutThis genus of 1 species endemic to the Seychelles has generatedinterest in having the largest seed, and in that the shape of theseed has suggested the devil's work or aphrodisiacal properties.What is unusualabout how thisspecies was firstdiscovered?*Arecaceae - palmsGreat morphological diversity: largest leafRaffia - rattan. . . and largest inflorescenceCoryphaRoystonia*Arecaceae - palmsVegetative characteristics• “woody” stems via primarythickening meristem or diffusesecondary growth• essentially hardened leaf bases• single apical meristem:succeptible to frost*Arecaceae - palmsVegetative characteristics• palmate or pinnate compound,sheathing, plicate or folded*Arecaceae - palmsFloral characteristics• inflorescence surrounded byspathe - once allied with aroids*Arecaceae - palmsFloral characteristics• flowers unisexual or bisexualCA 3 CO 3 A 3,6,∞ G 3 or (3)*Arecaceae - palmsFloral characteristics• fruit a 1-seeded berry or drupeAreca Betel palmCocos coconutNypa fruticanssalt marshCalamus radicalisHawaii*Arecaceae - palmsClassification: 5 subfamilies• Nypoideae and Calamoideae are first diverging*Arecaceae - palmsImportant palms: foodCocos nucifera -coconutPhoenix - Date palm*Arecaceae - palmsImportant palms: foodChyrtostachys -sealing wax palm*Arecaceae - palmsImportant palms: oil, waxElaeis - oilpalmRoystonea - Royal PalmWashingtonia inSanta Monica*Arecaceae - palmsImportant palms: horticulturePalm House at Kew RoyalBotanic Garden - largestglass house in the worldwith the largest glass houseplant - Chilean wine palm*Arecaceae - palmsImportant palms: horticultureCommelinids4 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 onlyheliconianectar + bractsCommelinaceae - 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 PAAAAAAPoales 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•