Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Poaceae: Angiosperm Families
The Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Brassicaceae families are major flowering plant groups with high biodiversity and agricultural value. They include ornamental flowers, staple crops like rice and wheat, and nutritious vegetables such as cabbage and mustard. These families carry 2–5% weightage in NEET and CBSE exams, making them essential for students.
This Story also Contains
- Introduction to Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae Families
- Habitat of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae Families
- Characteristics of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae Families
- Economic Importance Of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae Families
- Types of Questions in NEET, CBSE, Paramedical Exams
- Tips & Tricks to Remember Plant Families
- Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae NEET MCQs
- FAQs on Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae
Angiosperms are the most diverse group of plants on Earth. They can be distinguished for their ability to produce flowers and enclosed seeds within fruits. Angiosperms are believed to have had their beginnings during the cretaceous period, approximately ninety to one hundred and thirty million years ago. They have since diversified to the extent of occupying most of the plant niches.
The Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae families are important groups of angiosperms and they contribute to biodiversity and human agriculture. Each one of them has a unique character such as Asteraceae to the flowers, Poaceae to the important food production and Brassicaceae to the vegetables.
Introduction to Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae Families
The Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae families are known for their contribution to biodiversity agriculture and the ecosystem. These families are important because we use the products significantly in our daily lives. Some of the basic points about these families are discussed below:
The Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae families belong to the important group of flowering plants.
Family has contributed to important sections such as biodiversity agriculture and ecosystem.
Asteraceae is also known as composite flower heads as it includes species with ornamental as well as medicinal value.
Poaceae belong to the grass family and include important grass like rice wheat and corn.
Brassicaceae belongs to the mustard family and is known for its nutritional benefits and has vegetables like cabbage and broccoli.
These families are important for food security and environmental balance in the agriculture field.
Habitat of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae Families
Family members of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae are commonly found all across the globe. Due to different climatic conditions, there is a variety of habitats present in the family. They have remarkable adaptability to climatic conditions all across the globe. Some basic habitat features of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae are discussed below:
They are commonly found in diverse habitats such as tropical rainforests or temperate regions.
There are approximately 378 species with 138 genera which are identified in India only.
These are commonly found in the Himalayas and mountains of Southern and western India.
Characteristics of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae Families
Some of the basic characteristics of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae are discussed below in the table:
Commonly Asked Questions
The Asteraceae family, also known as the daisy family, is characterized by its unique flower structure called a capitulum or flower head. This structure consists of many small flowers (florets) clustered together to form what appears to be a single flower. The family also typically has alternate leaves, and many species produce a milky sap. Asteraceae plants often have wind-dispersed seeds with a pappus, which is a feathery or bristly structure that aids in seed dispersal.
The inflorescence of Asteraceae is a capitulum, which is a dense cluster of small flowers (florets) arranged on a receptacle, often surrounded by bracts. This gives the appearance of a single large flower. In contrast, Brassicaceae plants typically have a raceme inflorescence, where individual flowers are arranged along an elongated stem, with the oldest flowers at the base and youngest at the top.
Brassicaceae flowers typically have four petals arranged in a cross shape (hence the alternative name Cruciferae), six stamens (four long and two short), and a superior ovary. In contrast, Asteraceae flowers are typically small and clustered in a capitulum, while Poaceae flowers are usually wind-pollinated, lack showy petals, and are arranged in spikelets.
Asteraceae fruits are typically achenes, which are small, dry, single-seeded fruits often with a pappus for wind dispersal. Brassicaceae fruits are siliques or silicles, which are dry, dehiscent fruits that split open to release seeds. Poaceae fruits are caryopses (grains), where the seed coat is fused to the fruit wall.
Economic Importance Of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae Families
The economic importance of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae is discussed below:
Family | Economic Importance |
Asteraceae |
|
Poaceae |
|
Brassicaceae |
|
Commonly Asked Questions
The Brassicaceae family, also known as the mustard family, has significant economic importance. It includes many edible plants such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, radish, and turnip. Some species are used for oil production (e.g., canola), while others are ornamental plants. Additionally, the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, widely used in genetic research, belongs to this family.
The Poaceae family, also known as grasses, plays a crucial ecological role in many ecosystems. Grasses are primary producers in grassland ecosystems, providing food and habitat for numerous animal species. They also help prevent soil erosion with their extensive root systems. Economically, Poaceae includes important crop plants like wheat, rice, and corn, making it vital for global food security.
Types of Questions in NEET, CBSE, Paramedical Exams
During exam preparation, different types of questions about Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae are asked. The table below contains the different patterns of questions asked in different exams.
Exam Type | Types of Questions Asked |
| |
| |
Paramedical |
|
Tips & Tricks to Remember Plant Families
It takes effort to remember everything in a single go. We made the entire problem easy. Some of the tricks regarding Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Brassicaceae families are given below which you can use to memorise the important points.
Asteraceae Family (Daisy/Sunflower Family)
"COF: Composite, Ornamental, Food"
C: Composite flowers (flower heads made of many small florets).
O: Ornamental plants (e.g., daisies, sunflowers for decoration).
F: Food plants (e.g., lettuce, artichokes).
Poaceae Family (Grass Family)
"CFR: Cereal, Fodder, Renewable"
C: Cereal crops (e.g., rice, wheat, corn for staple food).
F: Fodder for livestock (grasses as feed for animals).
R: Renewable resources (grasses used in biofuel production and paper-making).
Brassicaceae Family (Mustard Family)
"VEO: Vegetables, Edible oils, Organic farming"
V: Vegetables (e.g., cabbage, broccoli, mustard).
E: Edible oils (e.g., canola oil).
O: Used in organic farming (pest control, soil health improvement).
Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae NEET MCQs
Q1. The conducting elements found in angiosperms are
Tracheid
Vessels
Sieve tube
All of the above
Correct answer: 4) All of the above
Explanation:
The conducting elements, specifically in angiosperms, include:
1. Xylem: This structure is crucial for the transportation of water and essential minerals throughout the plant.
2. Tracheids: These are elongated cells with pointed ends that contribute to water conduction and offer mechanical stability.
3. Vessels: Unique to angiosperms, these are tubular structures created by the fusion of vessel elements, facilitating rapid water flow.
4. Phloem: This tissue is vital for the movement of nutrients, primarily sugars, from one plant part to another.
5. Sieve tubes: Composed of sieve tube elements in a serial arrangement, they create continuous pathways for food translocation.
6. Companion cells: These accompany sieve tubes and play a key role in the loading and unloading of substances during the transportation process.
7. Phloem parenchyma: Involved in the storage and sideways movement of nutrients in the phloem.
8. Phloem fibres: Providing mechanical support to the phloem tissue.
These elements collectively form the vascular system essential for plant function and growth.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4) All of the above.
Q2. Double fertilization is found without any exception in
Bryophytes
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms
Pteridophytes
Correct answer: 3) Angiosperms
Explanation:
Double fertilization is a process unique to flowering plants (angiosperms), which results in the formation of triploid nuclei that develop into endosperm, and also a zygote which is formed by the union of a male gamete and a female ovum.
Hence, the correct answer is Option (3) Angiosperms
Q3. Sporophyte of angiosperm is
Diploid and dominant
Diploid and recessive
Haploid and dominant
Haploid and independent
Correct answer: 1) Diploid and dominant
Explanation:
The sporophyte phase in the angiosperm lifecycle is the diploid (2n) stage that generates spores through a process termed meiosis. This is the prominent and mature phase, characterized by the presence of recognizable flowering plants.
Within specialized areas known as sporangia, the sporophyte gives rise to haploid spores. In these advanced plants, these sporangia are situated within the flowers, leading to the creation of pollen grains (the male gametophyte) and ovules (the female gametophyte). Upon fertilization of the ovule by pollen, a zygote is formed, which evolves into the subsequent sporophyte generation.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Diploid and dominant.
Also Read:
FAQs on Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae
What are Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae families?
Asteraceae (Compositae): One of the largest families of dicot plants, commonly called the sunflower family. It includes herbs, shrubs, and some trees.
Poaceae (Gramineae): The grass family, a monocot family that includes cereals, millets, and fodder grasses.
Brassicaceae (Cruciferae): A dicot family known as the mustard family, including many vegetables, oil-yielding, and ornamental plants.
What are the characteristics of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae?
Asteraceae: Inflorescence is a capitulum (head) surrounded by involucral bracts; flowers are ray and disc florets; fruit is cypsela with pappus.
Poaceae: Stem is usually hollow with nodes and internodes; leaves are linear with sheathing base; inflorescence is a spikelet; fruit is caryopsis.
Brassicaceae: Flowers are tetramerous (4 sepals, 4 petals, 6 stamens – tetradynamous); fruit is silique or silicula; leaves are often simple and alternate.
What is the economic importance of Asteraceae, Poaceae and Brassicaceae?
Asteraceae: Provides edible plants (sunflower oil, lettuce), ornamentals (daisy, chrysanthemum), medicinal plants (Artemisia, Eclipta), and weeds.
Poaceae: Most important food crops—wheat, rice, maize, barley, sugarcane, bamboo; also used for fodder, paper, and biofuel.
Brassicaceae: Source of oil seeds (mustard, rapeseed), vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, radish, turnip, broccoli), and condiments.
Which plants belong to the Asteraceae family?
Examples of Asteraceae plants include sunflower (Helianthus annuus), marigold chrysanthemum, dandelion, lettuce (Lactuca sativa), safflower, and Eclipta (Bhringraj). These plants are widely grown for ornamental, edible, medicinal, or oil purposes.