Botanical Families

Family of monocotyledonous plants with showy actinomorphic or zygomorphic flowers, bulbous or rhizomatous. Includes ornamental and medicinal genera such as Amaryllis, Narcissus, Galanthus, Haemanthus, Crinum, and Ammocharis. Many species contain alkaloids with pharmacological activity.

Family of climbing and trailing plants known as cucurbits or gourds. Many species from arid regions of Africa and Mexico develop massive underground caudices or tubers. Includes genera such as Kedrostis, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Citrullus and many with ornamental value for their curious caudices.

Family of vines, herbs, and shrubs distributed mainly in the American and African tropics. Comprises genera with notable morphological adaptations: some develop large succulent caudices for water storage (Adenia), while others produce elaborate flowers with showy coronas (Passiflora). Many species contain cyanogenic compounds as herbivore defense.

Family of bulbous geophytes from the western hemisphere, mainly from North and South America. Includes genera such as Brodiaea, Dichelostemma and Triteleia. Many were historically classified in Liliaceae or Asparagaceae.