Rosaceae
Rosaceae | |
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Flower of Rosa arvensis | |
Scientific classification | |
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Family: | Rosaceae |
Global distribution of Rosaceae |
Rosaceae (rose-like plants) is a large family of plants. There are about 100-120 genera with between 3,000 and 4,000 species in them. Well-known plants from the family include:
- Roses
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Apples, and Pears
- Peaches, Cherries, and Apricots
Plants in Rosaceae usually have flowers with five petals. However, some decorative roses have many more. Species of Dryas usually have eight petals.
Subfamilies
[change | change source]The Rosaceae family has been divided into subfamilies; usually the following four subfamilies are used:
- Rosoideae
- Spiraeoideae
- Maloideae
- Amygdaloideae (sometimes incorrectly called Prunoideae)
However, it has become clear that the last three of these subfamilies cannot be divided in a clear way. Also, there is a small group that is so different from other Rosaceae, that it is now given its own name. Botanists now use only three subfamilies in Rosaceae: