Table of Contents

All important plant families for NEET, CBSE and LT Grade preparation

1. Fabaceae Family (Leguminosae) –

General Introduction

Fabaceae is also known as Leguminosae or the Pulse Family.
It is the third-largest plant family.
Contains about 730 genera and over 19,000 species.
Plants are dicotyledonous in nature.

Key Characteristics

Feature	Description
Division	Angiosperms
Class	Dicotyledonae
Habit	Herbs, shrubs, or trees
Root	Taproot system with Rhizobium nodules for nitrogen fixation
Stem	Erect or climbing, branched or unbranched
Leaf	Compound, pinnate/trifoliate, stipulate
Flower	Bisexual, zygomorphic, complete
Inflorescence	Raceme or solitary
Calyx	5 united sepals (gamosepalous)
Corolla	5 petals (1 standard, 2 wings, 2 keel – Papilionaceous)
Androecium	10 stamens (9 fused + 1 free) – diadelphous
Gynoecium	Monocarpellary, superior ovary
Fruit	Legume or pod
Seed	Non-endospermic

Floral Formula

⚥ K(5) C1+2+(2) A(9)+1 G1

⚥ = Bisexual flower
K(5) = 5 united sepals
C1+2+(2) = Papilionaceous corolla (1 standard, 2 wings, 2 fused keel petals)
A(9)+1 = Diadelphous stamens
G1 = Monocarpellary, superior ovary

Plant families for NEET, CBSE and LT Grade

Examples of Fabaceae Family

Plant Name	Use
Pisum sativum (Pea)	Vegetable, protein source
Cicer arietinum (Gram)	Pulse
Glycine max (Soybean)	Oil, protein
Arachis hypogaea (Groundnut)	Oil, snacks
Trifolium (Clover)	Animal fodder
Mimosa pudica	Touch-sensitive plant
Indigofera	Natural blue dye

Economic Importance

Food: Major pulses and oil-producing crops.
Nitrogen Fixation: Improves soil fertility via Rhizobium in root nodules.
Fodder: Several species used for animal feed.
Medicinal: e.g., Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice).
Dye: Indigofera gives indigo dye.
Green Manure: Enhances soil nitrogen content.

Important for NEET/NCERT

Plant families for NEET, CBSE and LT Grade

Understand the floral formula and floral structure (standard, wings, keel).
Learn about papilionaceous corolla and diadelphous stamens.
Rhizobium and nitrogen fixation are key topics for NEET.
Memorize economic uses and common examples.

2. Asteraceae Family (Compositae) –

General Introduction

Asteraceae is also called Compositae.
It is the largest family of dicotyledonous plants.
Contains around 1,620 genera and over 23,000 species.
Commonly known as the Sunflower family.

Plant families for NEET, CBSE and LT Grade

Key Characteristics

Feature	Description
Division	Angiosperms
Class	Dicotyledonae
Habit	Herbs, shrubs, or sometimes trees
Root	Taproot or adventitious
Stem	Erect or prostrate, herbaceous or woody
Leaf	Simple or pinnately lobed, alternate or opposite, exstipulate
Inflorescence	Capitulum or Head, surrounded by an involucre of bracts
Flower	Bisexual or unisexual, actinomorphic or zygomorphic
Calyx	Reduced to pappus (bristles or scales)
Corolla	5 petals, united, tubular or ligulate
Androecium	5 stamens, syngenesious (anthers fused, filaments free)
Gynoecium	Bicarpellary, syncarpous, inferior ovary
Fruit	Cypsela, often with pappus
Seed	Non-endospermic

Floral Formula

⚥ Kpappus C(5) A(5) G(2) (inferior)

⚥ = Bisexual flower
K = Calyx reduced to pappus (modified sepals)
C(5) = 5 united petals (tubular or ligulate)
A(5) = 5 stamens, anthers fused (syngenesious)
G(2) = Bicarpellary, syncarpous, inferior ovary

Examples of Asteraceae Family

Plant Name	Use
Helianthus annuus (Sunflower)	Oil, ornamental
Tagetes (Marigold)	Ornamental, insect-repellent
Chrysanthemum	Ornamental
Tridax procumbens	Medicinal herb
Eclipta alba	Used in hair oil (Bhringraj)
Vernonia	Medicinal

Economic Importance

Oil crops: Sunflower is a major source of edible oil.
Ornamental plants: Marigold, chrysanthemum are popular in gardens.
Medicinal uses: Plants like Tridax and Eclipta are used in traditional medicine.
Insect-repellent: Marigold helps in keeping pests away.
Soil binders: Some species help in soil conservation.

Important Points for NEET/NCERT

Focus on the capitulum inflorescence – a unique feature of Asteraceae.
Remember pappus as modified sepals aiding in seed dispersal.
Syngenesious stamens are a key identification feature.
Examples like sunflower, marigold, Tridax are frequently asked.

Plant families for NEET, CBSE and LT Grade

3. Poaceae Family (Gramineae) – Full Details

General Introduction

Poaceae is also known as the Grass Family or Gramineae.
It is one of the most important plant families due to its role in food and economy.
It includes major cereal crops like wheat, rice, maize, barley, and sugarcane.
There are around 780 genera and over 12,000 species.

Key Characteristics

Feature	Description
Division	Angiosperms
Class	Monocotyledonae
Habit	Herbs (mostly), sometimes shrubs or trees (bamboo)
Root	Fibrous root system
Stem	Hollow (culm), jointed, nodes and internodes visible
Leaf	Simple, alternate, with sheath, ligule, and blade
Inflorescence	Spikelets arranged in spikes or panicles
Flower	Small, bisexual or unisexual, incomplete, zygomorphic
Perianth	Reduced to 2 lodicules
Androecium	3 stamens with versatile anthers
Gynoecium	Monocarpellary, ovary superior, unilocular
Fruit	Caryopsis (grain)
Seed	Endospermic

Floral Formula

⚥ ⊕ P2 A3 G(1)

⚥ = Bisexual flower
⊕ = Actinomorphic
P2 = Two lodicules (reduced perianth)
A3 = Three stamens
G(1) = One carpel, superior ovary

Examples of Poaceae Family

Plant Name	Use
Triticum aestivum (Wheat)	Staple cereal food
Oryza sativa (Rice)	Main food crop in Asia
Zea mays (Maize)	Cereal, fodder, starch source
Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane)	Sugar production
Hordeum vulgare (Barley)	Cereal, beer production
Bambusa (Bamboo)	Construction, paper, furniture

Economic Importance

Staple food: Wheat, rice, maize, barley feed billions of people globally.
Sugar industry: Sugarcane is a major commercial crop for sugar and ethanol.
Paper and pulp: Bamboo is widely used in paper manufacturing.
Fodder: Many grasses are used as fodder for livestock.
Erosion control: Grass cover helps prevent soil erosion.

Important Points for NEET/NCERT

Focus on features like hollow stem, ligule, and caryopsis fruit.
Spikelet inflorescence is a key identifier of this family.
Examples like Wheat, Rice, Maize, and Sugarcane are repeatedly asked.
Understand the unique features like lodicules and versatile anthers.

4. Rutaceae Family – Full Details

Rutaceae, commonly known as the Citrus family, is an important family of flowering plants in the order Sapindales. It includes economically valuable fruit-bearing plants such as orange, lemon, and lime, as well as aromatic medicinal plants. Let’s explore its features, classification, and importance.

Common Name: Citrus family
Botanical Name: Rutaceae
Order: Sapindales

Key Characteristics of Rutaceae

Habit: Mostly shrubs or small trees; some herbs also found.
Leaves: Usually gland-dotted, aromatic, simple or compound, without stipules.
Inflorescence: Generally cymose or solitary.
Flower: Actinomorphic (radial symmetry), bisexual, complete, and usually fragrant.
Calyx: 4-5 sepals, gamosepalous, green.
Corolla: 4-5 petals, polypetalous, white or yellow, aromatic.
Androecium: Usually 8-10 stamens, sometimes more, free or united at base.
Gynoecium: 2-5 carpels, syncarpous; ovary superior and multilocular.
Fruit: Usually a hesperidium (as in citrus), capsule, or drupe.
Seeds: Endospermic, with fleshy cotyledons.

Economic Importance:

Fruits: Citrus fruits like orange (Citrus sinensis), lemon (Citrus limon), lime (Citrus aurantifolia) are rich in Vitamin C.
Medicinal: Aegle marmelos (Bael) used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine.
Perfume industry: Oils extracted from peels and flowers (e.g., neroli oil).

Examples of Plants in Rutaceae

Citrus sinensis – Sweet orange
Citrus limon – Lemon
Aegle marmelos – Bael
Ruta graveolens – Common rue
Murraya koenigii – Curry leaf

Special Features:
Most members of this family contain aromatic oils in glands present in leaves and fruit peels. The family is well known for its immunity-boosting and therapeutic properties.

Floral Formula

⚥ K₅ C₅ A₁₀ G₍₅₎ (Superior Ovary)

Floral Diagram (Text-based)

A circular arrangement showing 5 sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens in two whorls, and a superior pentacarpellary gynoecium.

Note: Rutaceae family is important for both nutritional and medicinal uses, and also for its commercial value in the juice, perfume, and pharma industries.

5. Anacardiaceae Family (Cashew Family)

Common Name: Cashew or Mango Family

Number of Genera: ~70 genera

Number of Species: ~600 species

Distribution: Mostly tropical and subtropical regions of the world

Important Example Plants:

Mangifera indica – Mango
Anacardium occidentale – Cashew
Pistacia vera – Pistachio
Spondias – Hog plum

Floral formula

⚥ ⊕ K(5) C5 A5 G(1)

Botanical Description:

Habit: Trees and shrubs, rarely climbers.
Leaves: Simple or pinnately compound, alternate, exstipulate (without stipules), resin canals present.
Inflorescence: Mostly panicles, racemes or cymes.
Flowers: Small, unisexual or bisexual, actinomorphic, hypogynous.
Calyx: 5 sepals, free or united, imbricate aestivation.
Corolla: 5 petals, free, imbricate aestivation.
Androecium: 5–10 stamens, sometimes polyandrous, alternate to petals.
Gynoecium: 1–5 carpels, syncarpous, ovary superior, unilocular with one ovule.
Fruit: Drupe, sometimes nut-like (e.g., cashew).
Seed: Without endosperm (non-endospermic), oily and edible in some.

Economic Importance:

Mango (Mangifera indica): Popular fruit, used fresh and in processed food industries.
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale): Nuts are rich in fat and protein, used in snacks and confectionery.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera): Edible nuts.
Gums and Resins: Used in varnish and paint industries.
Wood: Some species provide timber or fuelwood.

Identifying Features:

Resin canals present in leaves and stem.
Fruits are usually drupes.
Leaves without stipules.

Related Families:

Related to Rutaceae and Simaroubaceae under the order Sapindales.

Notable Facts:

Cashew nuts grow outside the fruit, unlike most drupes.
Cashew shell contains a caustic oil called anacardic acid.
Mango is considered the national fruit of India.

6. Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)

Systematic Position:

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae

General Characteristics:

Feature	Description
Habit	Herbs, shrubs or small trees
Stem	Branched, hairy or glabrous
Leaves	Alternate, simple, exstipulate
Inflorescence	Solitary or cymose
Flower	Bisexual, actinomorphic
Calyx	5 sepals, gamosepalous
Corolla	5 petals, gamopetalous
Androecium	5 stamens, epipetalous
Gynoecium	2 fused carpels, superior ovary
Fruit	Berry or capsule
Seeds	Numerous, endospermic

Floral Formula:

⚥ ⊕ K(5) C(5) A5 G(2)

Economic Importance:

Plant	Use
Solanum tuberosum	Potato – food crop
Lycopersicon esculentum	Tomato – vegetable
Capsicum annum	Chilli – spice
Nicotiana tabacum	Tobacco – industry
Datura stramonium	Medicinal (narcotic)
Atropa belladonna	Source of atropine

7. Arecaceae Family (Palm Family)

The Arecaceae, or palm family, is an economically and ecologically important family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as palms. It includes over 2,600 species, mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions.

Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiospermae
Class: Monocotyledonae
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae

General Characteristics:

Mostly unbranched, perennial trees or shrubs with a single stem.
Leaves large, pinnately or palmately compound, forming a crown at the top of the stem.
Inflorescence is usually spadix enclosed in a spathe.
Flowers unisexual or bisexual, small, actinomorphic.
Pollination occurs through wind or insects.

Floral Features:

Type: Unisexual or Bisexual
Symmetry: Actinomorphic (Radial)
Calyx: 3 sepals, often fused
Corolla: 3 petals, often fused
Androecium: 6 stamens
Gynoecium: 3 carpels, syncarpous, superior ovary

Floral Formula:

⚥ ⚪ K(3) C(3) A6 G(3)

⚥ = Bisexual flower
⚪ = Actinomorphic
K(3) = 3 fused sepals
C(3) = 3 fused petals
A6 = 6 stamens
G(3) = 3 fused carpels, ovary superior

Economically Important Examples:

Cocos nucifera (Coconut)
Elaeis guineensis (Oil palm)
Areca catechu (Areca nut)
Phoenix dactylifera (Date palm)

Uses:

Source of oil (coconut oil, palm oil)
Used in beverages and foods (coconut water, dates)
Timber and leaves used for building and weaving

8. Cucurbitaceae Family (Gourd Family)

Common Name: Gourd or Pumpkin Family
Scientific Name: Cucurbitaceae
Order: Cucurbitales

Key Characteristics:

Mostly climbers with tendrils (usually unbranched and axillary).
Stems are weak, herbaceous, and often angular.
Leaves: Simple, alternate, palmately lobed or dissected, with rough surface.
Inflorescence: Solitary or cymose, unisexual flowers.
Flowers: Unisexual, actinomorphic, epigynous, pentamerous.
Calyx: 5 sepals, gamosepalous (fused).
Corolla: 5 petals, gamopetalous (fused), bell or funnel-shaped.
Androecium: 5 stamens, usually twisted, often syngenesious or fused in pairs.
Gynoecium: Tricarpellary, syncarpous, inferior ovary, unilocular or trilocular with parietal placentation.
Fruit: Pepo (a fleshy berry with hard rind).
Seeds: Many, flat, without endosperm.

Floral Formula:

♂ ⚥ ⚢ ⊕ K(5) C(5) A(3) G(3)^inferior

Examples:

Cucurbita maxima (Pumpkin)
Momordica charantia (Bitter gourd)
Lagenaria siceraria (Bottle gourd)
Cucumis sativus (Cucumber)
Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon)

Economic Importance:

Important vegetable crops.
Used in pickling and salads (cucumber, gourd).
Pumpkin seeds are edible and rich in oil.
Watermelon is a popular refreshing summer fruit.

9. Rosaceae Family (Rose Family)

Common Name: Rose Family
Scientific Name: Rosaceae
Order: Rosales

Key Characteristics:

Mostly trees, shrubs, or herbs.
Stems may be woody or herbaceous, often with thorns or prickles.
Leaves: Alternate, simple or compound, with stipules present.
Inflorescence: Cymose or racemose (solitary in some).
Flowers: Bisexual, actinomorphic, usually perigynous or epigynous.
Calyx: 5 sepals, gamosepalous (fused at base).
Corolla: 5 petals, polypetalous (free), showy.
Androecium: Numerous stamens, free, arranged in whorls.
Gynoecium: Variable—can be monocarpellary to multicarpellary, superior to inferior ovary, apocarpous or syncarpous.
Fruit: Drupe, pome, or aggregate (depending on genus).
Seeds: Without endosperm (usually).

Floral Formula:

⚥ ⊕ K₅ C₅ A_∞ G_(1–∞)^{superior/inferior}

Examples:

Rosa indica (Rose)
Malus domestica (Apple)
Pyrus communis (Pear)
Prunus persica (Peach)
Fragaria indica (Strawberry)

Economic Importance:

Many fruits like apple, pear, peach, strawberry, plum come from this family.
Rosa used in perfumes, cosmetics, and ornamental gardening.
Sources of vitamins and antioxidants (especially berries).
Timber from some genera used for furniture and crafts.

10. Lamiaceae Family (Mint Family)

Common Name: Mint Family
Scientific Name: Lamiaceae
Order: Lamiales (earlier placed under Labiateae)
Type: Mostly aromatic herbs or shrubs

Key Characteristics:

Aromatic due to presence of volatile oils.
Stems are typically quadrangular (four-angled).
Leaves: Opposite, decussate, simple, exstipulate.
Inflorescence: Verticillaster (false whorls), cymose type.
Flowers: Bisexual, zygomorphic, hypogynous.
Calyx: 5 sepals, gamosepalous, persistent, often bilabiate.
Corolla: 5 petals, gamopetalous, bilabiate (two-lipped).
Androecium: Usually 4 stamens (didynamous – 2 long & 2 short), epipetalous.
Gynoecium: Bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, deeply 4-lobed, with gynobasic style.
Fruit: Schizocarpic – splits into 4 nutlets (mericarp).
Seeds: Endosperm usually absent.

Floral Formula:

⚥ % K₍₅₎ C₍₅₎ A₄ G₍₂₎^superior

Examples:

Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi / Holy Basil)
Mentha arvensis (Mint)
Salvia officinalis (Sage)
Lavandula (Lavender)
Thymus (Thyme)

Economic Importance:

Medicinal Plants: Tulsi and mint are used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines.
Essential Oils: Used in perfumes, aromatherapy, and flavoring agents.
Culinary Herbs: Mint, thyme, rosemary, sage used as spices and condiments.
Ornamental Value: Lavender and Salvia are grown for decorative purposes.

External Links for Plant Families

Fabaceae (Legume Family): Britannica – Fabaceae
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family): Missouri Botanical Garden
Poaceae (Grass Family): Kew Science – Plants of the World
Rutaceae (Citrus Family): NCBI Taxonomy Browser
Anacardiaceae (Mango Family): Wikipedia – Anacardiaceae
Solanaceae (Nightshade Family): Kew Science – Solanaceae
Arecaceae (Palm Family): Britannica – Palm Family
Cucurbitaceae (Gourd Family): USDA Plants Database
Rosaceae (Rose Family): Missouri Botanical Garden – Rosaceae
Lamiaceae (Mint Family): Kew Science – Lamiaceae