LYTHRACEAE - LOOSETRIFE FAMILY
Scientific Description:
Herbs or trees. Leaves simple, opposite, alternate or whorled; stipules minute or absent. Flowers solitary or in pairs in the leaf axils, or in axillary clusters or small cymes, sometimes in compound terminal spikes, hermaphrodite, actinomorphic, perigynous. Hypanthium pelviform to cylindrical. Epicalyx often present. Petals 4−6, free, inserted on the rim of the hypanthium, crumpled in bud, or absent. Stamens 2−12, inserted in the hypanthial tube. Ovary superior, 2−4-locular; placentation axile; style 1. Fruit a capsule; seeds numerous, lacking endosperm.
Reference:
Davis PH (1972). Lythraceae, In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 4: 174.
Public Description:
The “loosestrife family”, which is composed of a large number of herbaceous plants, including some trees and shrubs, spreads throughout the world. Most species are found in tropical and temperate regions. Some species, primarily Lythrum L. (loosetrife) species, are used as ornamental plants. However, Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) is an invasive exotic weed of wetlands throughout Canada and the United States.One of the most famous plants in this family is Henna (Lawsonia inermis L.). The dyestuff prepared by drying and grinding the leaves of this plant and the temporary shapes formed on the body using this substance are also called "henna". Since antiquity, it has been used for skin, hair and nails, as well as for silk, wool and leather dyeing.
References:
Anonymous (2018). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lythraceae, Accessed date: 01.02.2018.
