RUBIACEAE Meaning and
Definition
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Rubiaceae is a noun referring to a large family of flowering plants commonly known as the madder family. It is composed of approximately 13,000 species distributed throughout the world, making it one of the most diverse and widespread plant families. The name "Rubiaceae" is derived from the genus Rubia, which includes the madder plants that were historically used for dye production.
Members of the Rubiaceae family vary widely in size, habit, and appearance, but they are typically herbaceous or woody plants. Leaves are usually simple, opposite, and often stipulate, meaning they have small appendages at the base of the petiole. Flowers are typically small and usually arranged in inflorescences, with radial symmetry and five (less commonly four) fused petals.
Many species within the Rubiaceae family have significant economic value for humans. Some plants are cultivated as ornamentals, while others are used for their medicinal properties. The family includes important agricultural crops such as coffee (Coffea) and quinine (Cinchona), as well as plants of industrial significance like the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis).
In terms of ecological importance, Rubiaceae species play vital roles in various ecosystems as nectar sources for pollinators or as food sources for herbivores. They also contribute to forest composition and structure, thereby influencing the diversity and stability of plant communities.
In summary, Rubiaceae is a diverse and extensive family of flowering plants, characterized by opposite leaves, small flowers, and a wide range of economic and ecological significance.
Common Misspellings for RUBIACEAE
- eubiaceae
- dubiaceae
- fubiaceae
- tubiaceae
- 5ubiaceae
- 4ubiaceae
- rybiaceae
- rhbiaceae
- rjbiaceae
- ribiaceae
- r8biaceae
- r7biaceae
- ruviaceae
- runiaceae
- ruhiaceae
- rugiaceae
- rubuaceae
- rubjaceae
- rubkaceae
- zubiaceae
Etymology of RUBIACEAE
The word "Rubiaceae" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek.
The Latin term "rubia" refers to the plant genus Rubia, which includes several species commonly known as madder. These plants were used to produce a red dye historically. From "rubia", the Latin term was pluralized as "rubiae".
The suffix "-aceae" in botany is used to denote a plant family. It is derived from the Greek word "akis" (genitive "akidos"), which means "sharp point" or "thorn". This suffix is commonly used in the scientific naming of plant families.
Therefore, "Rubiaceae" combines the Latin term "rubiae" referring to the genus Rubia and the Greek suffix "-aceae" used to denote a plant family. Ultimately, this word is used to name the family of plants that includes Rubia and various other species.
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