Plant Family Quiz Wednesday 2026
Slides
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 3. Primulaceae |
 4. Orchidaceae |
 5. Orobanchaceae |
 6. Malvaceae |
 7. Boraginaceae |
 8. Berberidaceae |
 9. Papaveraceae |
 10. Ericaceae |
 11. Betulaceae |
 12. Saxifragaceae |
 13. Rosaceae |
 14. Plantaginaceae |
 15. Asteraceae (Compositae) |
 16. Onagraceae |
 17. Caryophyllaceae |
 18. Ranunculaceae |
 19. Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) |
 20. Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
Living/Preserved Material
21. What kind of inflorescence is this? (Barassicaceae/Cruciferae; Lunaria)
raceme
22. Describe the symmetry of this flower. (Hydrophyllaceae; Nemophila)
actinomorphic (radial)
23. Name one feature that could be used to tell these two families apart in the field. (Ranunculaceae; Ranunculus vs. Rosaceae; Fragaria)
hypanthium presence, petal attachment size, epicalyx presence
24. What kind of inflorescence is this? (Primulaceae; Dodecatheon)
umbel atop a scape
25. Describe the insertion of the androecium and perianth parts of these flowers. (Papaveraceae; Eschscholzia)
hypogynous (superior ovary)
26. What kind of inflorescence is this? (Betulaceae; Alnus)
catkin (also a cyme)
27. What kind of fruit is this? (Fabaceae/Leguminosae; Astragulus)
legume
28. The androecium and perianth in these flowers are attached to what structure? (Rosaceae; Amelanchier)
hypanthium
29. What kind of inflorescence is this? (Asteraceae/Compositae; Balsamorhiza)
head, composite or capitlum
30. Describe the insertion of the androecium and perianth parts of these flowers. (Onagraceae; Epilobium)
epigynous (inferior ovary)
31. Name one feature that could be used to tell these two families apart in the field. (Plantaginaceae; Penstemon vs. Lamiaceae; Scuttelaria)
stem shape (square-ness), ovary lobing, fruit type
32. What kind of fruit is this? (Ericaceae; Vaccinium)
berry
33. Name one feature that could be used to tell these two families apart in the field. (Caryophyllaceae; Silene vs. Polemoniaceae; Collomia)
petal fusion, epipetalous stamens, number of styles/stigmas
34. Describe the symmetry of these flowers. (Orobanchaceae; Orobanche)
zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry)
35. What kind of fruit is this (Ranunculaceae; Clematis)?
achene
Bonus 1. To which Family does the plant belong that is the source of the center of this snack? (Trader Joes Dark Chocolate-covered Almonds)
almonds are in the Rosaceae
Bonus 2. What term describes the fruit that is scattered over the outside of the strawberry? (strawberries)
the fruit of strawberries are achenes (dried, indehiscent single-seeded fruit from the numerous individual carpels in each flower)
Bonus 3. What kind of fruit are these sunflower "seeds"?
achenes