Article
Article
Cornales
Article By:
Sytsma, K. J. Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
Last reviewed:December 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.162800
An order of flowering plants, division Magnoliophyta (Angiospermae), in the superordinal Asteridae group of Eudicotyledon. The order consists of 5 families (Cornaceae, Grubbiaceae, Hydrangeaceae, Hydrostachyaceae and Loasaceae), approximately 50 genera and about 600 species. The members of the order show dramatic differences in habitat, ranging from temperate and tropical trees, to herbaceous perennials (Loasaceae), to submerged aquatics (Hydrostachyaceae). The order is mostly characterized by opposite leaves and flowers with four or five perianth parts that usually grow from the top of the ovary (epigynous) [see illustration]. The fruit is either a fleshy berry or dehiscent capsule. The various species of dogwoods (Cornus) and sour gum (Nyssa sylvatica, family Cornaceae) are well known. Various species of Hydrangeaceae (deutzia, hydrangea, mock-orange) are important cultivated shrubs. See also: Asteridae; Dogwood; Plant kingdom; Tupelo
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