Amaranthaceae.pptx

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1. ETYMOLOGY: The family Amaranthaceae was first published in 1789 by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu . "Amaranth" derives from Greek word ( amárantos ), "unfading", with the Greek word for "flower",( ánthos ), factoring into the word's development as amaranth, the unfading flower. Amarant is an archaic variant. Common Name(s) : pigweed (English), amaranths [French] Type genus: Amaranthus L. Example: Amaranth ( Amaranthus hybridus L. ) Beetroot ( Beta vulgaris L.) Amaranthaceae

2. Distribution: Amaranthaceae is a widespread and cosmopolitan family from the tropics to cool temperate regions. The Amaranthaceae ( sensu stricto ) are predominantly tropical, whereas the former Chenopodiaceae have their centers of diversity in dry temperate and warm temperate areas. Many of the species are halophytes, tolerating salty soils, or grow in dry steppes or semi-deserts. Vegetable amaranths grow very well in the hot, humid regions of Africa, South-east Asia, Southern China, and India. . Only a few genera occur in temperate regions, the most prominent of which is Amaranthus. Centres of diversity are Central and South America, tropical and South Africa, and Australia. Global diversity: Amaranth family of flowering plants with about 175 genera and more than 2,500 species, mostly herbs and subshrubs, distributed nearly worldwide.

3. Classification According to Bentham and Hooker and APG IV S ystem APG IV SYSTEM BENTHAM AND HOOKER SYSTEM CLASS: DICOTYLEDONAE Reasons:1. Leaves reticulate venation 2. Flowers tetra or pentamerous Subclass: Monochlamydeae Reasons: 1. Perianth 1 or 2 whorled 2. Tepals sepaloid Series: Curve embryae Reasons: 1. Ovary usually unilocular 2. Ovule mostly 1 3. Embryo curved Family: Amaranthaceae Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Order: Caryophyllales Family: Amaranthaceae Juss .

4. Phylogeny of Amaranthaceae The family is closely related to Chenopodiaceae (which is placed within Amaranthaceae in APG classifications) but differentiated in scarious bracts and perianth, connate stamens and presence of staminodes. Numerous studies on the morphology, anatomy, and phytochemistry of the two families revealed a number of shared, mostly derived features. These include minute sessile flowers arranged in cymose inflorescences; a five- merous , imbricate, uniseriate perianth; a single whorl of epitepalous stamens; a single basal ovule. Amaranthaceae were made by Martius (1826), Traditionally, Caryophyllaceae subf . Paronychioideae were assumed to be the closest relatives of Amaranthaceae /Chenopodiaceae (Bentham and Hooker 1880). Achatocarpaceae as sister to the Amaranthaceae /Chenopodiaceae.

5. Diagnostic Characteristics . Distinguishing characters (always present) – Plants with simple, estipulate leaves with entire margins. Plants are Herbaceous. Flowers are small, several clustered in inflorescences. Flowers are actinomorphic. A bract and two bracteoles support a flower. Sepals (tepals) present, free; petals absent. Stamens 5, opposite to the tepals, Monadelphous. Ovary superior, 2-3-carpellate; placentation basal. Fruit usually an utricle.

6. Endemic species 1. Achyranthes coynei Santapau Native : W.Ghats . Maharashtra(Raigad) 2. Amaranthus caturus   B.Heyne ex Hook.f.  Native : Peninsular india, Maharashtra 3. Psilotrichum nudum   B.Heyne ex Wall . Moq . Native :Andhra Pradesh, Kerala , Tamil Nadu 4. Aerva wightii Hook.f . Native : W.Ghats . Tamilnadu (Tirunelveli hills) 5. Psilotrichum nudum (B.Heyne ex Wall.) Native : Andhra Pradesh, Kerala , Tamil Nadu

7. Economic Importantance The Amaranthaceae is of little economic importance. Food : Seeds of Amaranthus caudatus are edible. Amaranthus cruentus and A. frumentacea arc raised as cereals by primitive tribes in Tropical Asia. The leaves of Amaranthus viridis , A. spinosus and A. tricolor are also used as vegetables. Medicinal : Achyranthes aspera is diuretic and purgative. Decoction of Aerua tomentosa is used to remove swellings. The stem and leaves of Alternanthera are used in snake-bite. The flowers and seeds of Digera muricata (syn. D. arvensis) are given for urinary discharges. Dye : Leaves of Bosia amherstiana yield a black dye. The fruit juice of Deeringia is a substitute for red ink. Weeds : Some genera are weeds e.g. Amaranthus, Celosia, Digera , Achyranthes, Gomphrena etc. Ornamentals : Celosia cristata (Cockscomb), Gomphrena globosa (Globe amaranthus ) are cultivated in gardens.

8. IUCN Threatened species 1. Achyranthes coynei Santapau Achyranthes coynei Sant ., ( Amaranthaceae ) is a rare, medicinal shrub, endemic to India. Common name : Coyne's Chaff Flower Distribution : W.Ghats.,Maharashtra (Raigad) Conservation status : Endemic Habit : Shrub Uses : The plant especially, leaves are used in treatment of various disorders by folk healers.

9. 3. Psilotrichum aphyllum Psilotrichum aphyllum   is a species of  plant  in the family  Amaranthaceae . Distribution : Socotra off the coast of Yemen Conservation status : Endangered Habitat : subtropical or tropical dry forests and rocky areas 2. Aerva wightii Hook.f . Distribution : W.Ghats . Tamilnadu (Tirunelveli hills) Conservation status : Endemic/Extinct Habit : Undershrub Uses : It is used in folk medicine. C.C.Towns

10. Invasive Alien Species 1. Alternanthera philoxeroide s (Mart.) Griseb Alternanthera philoxeroides , commonly referred to as alligator weed . Uses : It has been used in aquaculture to remove pollutants from the water and as a source of biomass Alternanthera philoxeroides can be used for the  phytoremediation of Cd in their invaded water bodies. 

11. 2. Amaranthus viridis   L. It is a cosmopolitan species in the botanical family Amaranthaceae . Uses: It is used as traditional medicine in the treatment of asthma, and diabetes . The plant also possesses anti-microbial properties . 3. Celosia argentea L. It is commonly known as the plumed cockscomb or silver cock's comb, Uses: It is used in the treatment of blood-shot eyes, blurring of vision, cataracts and hypertension. 

12. 4. Alternanthera pungens Kunt h Alternanthera pungens is a creeping, prostrate perennial pioneer plant of the family Amaranthaceae Uses : In traditional medicine it was used as painkiller, for stomachache , swelling and nasopharyngeal infections and also reported for lactation stimulus in veterinary. 5.Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br . ex DC. Alternanthera sessilis is a flowering plant known by several common names, including sissoo spinach, Brazilian spinach, sessile joyweed and dwarf copperleaf.  Uses: As a herbal medicine, the plant has diuretic, cooling, tonic and laxative properties. It has been used for the treatment of dysuria and haemorrhoids.

13. C a mpus Plants 1. A maranthus spinosus L. Common name : spiny amaranth Native : Mexico to Tropical America Uses : It can be a serious weed for rice cultivation in Asia. It is highly food plant in Africa. 2. Achyranthes aspera L. Common name : prickly chaff flower Native : Tropical & Subtropical Old World Uses : The juice of this plant is a potent ingredient for a mixture of wall plaster. It has been used in folk medicine in countries including Australia, India, and Kenya. 3.Allmania nodiflora (L.) R.Br . ex Wight Common name : Node Flower Allmania Native : Indian Subcontinent to China (Guangxi) and W. & Central Malesia Uses : Fresh leaves used as a green leafy vegetable, which is rich in vitamins and iron. It is used as folk medicine to treat constipation and desentry .

14. Thank you. References: 1.Name of family { powo.com}. 2.Global distribution {Mobo t .org}. 3. Classification of APG4 {BHL ,systems of classifications } 4.Diagnostic character { Powo.com } 5.Phylogeny {mobo t .com} 6.Endemic species { Endemic Vascular plants } 7.Economic importance { GISD.org } 8.Plant from MCC campus { plant s for the day}