Author:
Jan Scholten
Book:
Wonderful Plants
Type:
Picture
Chapter:
665.52.00
665.52.00 Gesneriaceae
DD: Beryllium, Phosphorus, Silver series, Lanthanides.
Gesneriaceae: ± 150 genera; ± 3200 species; tropics, subtropics, South America; herbs or subshrubs, often epiphytic; leaves coloured, red; anthers fused; ovary 1 locule, superior, half-inferior, fully inferior; placentation parietal fruit dry or fleshy capsule or a berry; seeds small, numerous.
Calceolariaceae: 3 genera, Calceolaria, Porodittia, Jovellana.
Taxonomy
In the Apg3 classification Gesneriaceae and Calceolariaceae are Families in Lamiales, forming a monophyletic clade. In the Cronquist system Calceolariaceae was included in Scrophulariaceae. Calceolariaceae and part of the older Buddlejaceae together form a monophyletic group.
In the Plant theory Verbenales is split off from Lamiales. Gesneriaceae and the included Calceolariaceae are placed in Subphase 2 in Lamiales.
Introduction
The Gesneriaceae can be seen as the Lamiaceae of South America. They have the general theme of timidity and passivity. They see the world as dangerous and violent and they feel they cannot change it, so they retreat into their small world of friends and family. There they can make a difference and make the world a better place. With their sympathy and friendliness they are very capable of making a good environment for their dear ones.
They are very creative and independent, but they can bring this out only in their small group. They feel too weak and have the idea that they are not good enough to bring their ideas to the big world.
Mind
Self-love demands that he shows his superior courage, his human dignity.
His life is a battlefield.
Loud against imaginary enemies.
Outsider in the culture, staying with friends.