Learn about the comparison between Euphorbiaceae and Moraceae.

Comparison # Euphorbiaceae:

1. Plant-Mostly herbs, shrubs, or trees; some cactus-like succulents, milky latex invariably present.

2. Leaf-Simple or compound, alternate, rarely opposite or whorled, stipulate, stipules small or replaced by glands or thorns.

3. Inflorescence-Cyathium or raceme (Ricinus) or cyme (Jatropha).

4. Flower-Unisexual, actinomorphic, hypogynous.

5. Perianth-4-5, free or gamophyllous in two whorls of 2 each, persistent.

6. Androecium-1-∞ stamens; anthers 2-4-celled, dehiscence transverse or porous.

7. Gynoecium-3, syncarpous, trilocular, axile placentation, ovules 1-2 per loculus, 3 styles. Stigma 3 each further bilobed.

8. Fruit-Schizocarpic, regma (Ricius), capsule, drupe or berry.

9. Seed-Endospermic, caruncle sometimes present (Ricinus), embryo straight or bent.

Comparison # Moraceae:

1. Plant-Usually trees, rarely shrubs or herbs; latex invariably present.

2. Leaf-Simple, alternate, rarely opposite, stipulate, stipules intrapetiolar.

3. Inflorescence-Hypanthodium, usually cymose.

4. Flower-Unisexual, actinomorphic, hypogynous.

5. Perianth-5 or 4 poly-or gamophyllous, usually in one whorl, sometimes absent.

6. Androecium-1-4 stamens; anthers 2-celled, versatile, dehiscence longitudinal.

7. Gynoecium-Bicarpellary syncarpous, usually one carpel abortive, ovary unilocular, one ovule per loculus, pendulous or curved. Style simple or bifid, stigma 1-2. filform.

8. Fruit-Sorosis (Mulberry), syconous (Fig.)

9. Seed-Enospermic, embryo curved.

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