Learn about the comparison among Acanthaceae, Verbenaceae and Lamiaceae.
Comparison # Acanthaceae:
1. Habit-Herb or shrubs with swollen nodes.
2. Leaves-Simple, opposite and decussate.
3. Inflorescence-Spike or cymose, bracts and bracteoles prominent.
4. Flower-Zygomorphic, ☿, hypogynous.
5. Calyx-Sepals 5, gamopetalous, unequal.
6. Corolla-Petals 5, gamopetalous, bilabiate, oblique.
7. Androecium-Stamens 2+2 or 2, hairy or spurred anthers.
8. Gynoecium-Carpels (2), superior.
9. Ovary-Beaked, 2-celled, placentation axile, 2 to ∞ ovules in each loculus.
10. Style-Simple, terminal.
11. Fruit-Capsule, seeds with jaculators.
Comparison # Verbenaceae:
1. Habit-Herbs, shrubs or trees: stem squarish usually.
2. Leaves-Simples rarely compound, opposite or whorled.
3. Inflorescence-Racemose or cymose, bracts prominent.
4. Flower-Zygomorphic,☿ , hypogynous.
5. Calyx-Sepals 5, gamosepalous, tubular or campanulate, persistent.
6. Corolla-Petals 5, fused, tubular or oblique.
7. Androecium-Stamens 2+2 or 2 only
8. Gynoecium-Carpels (2), superior.
9. Ovary-2-4-celled, placentation axile, ovule 1 or 2 in each loculus.
10. Style-Simple terminal, rarely gynobasic.
11. Fruit-Drupe or berry.
Lamiaceae:
1. Habit-Herbs or shrubs with squarish stem.
2. Leaves-Simple, often opposite and decussate.
3. Inflorescence-Cymose or verticillaster.
4. Flower-Zygomorphic,☿, hypogynous.
5. Calyx-Sepals 5, fused, tubular or persistent.
6. Corolla-Petals 5, fused, bilabiate.
7. Androecium-Stamens 2+2 or 2 only.
8. Gynoecium-Carpels (2), superior.
9. Ovary-4-celled, placentation axile, one ovule in each loculus.
10. Style-Gynobasic.
11. Fruit-Schizocarpic, carcerulus.