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.