Urticaceae

Urticaceae

▪ plant family
 the nettle family comprising about 45 genera of herbs, shrubs, small trees, and a few vines, distributed primarily in tropical regions. The family is typical of the nettle order (Urticales). Many species, especially the nettles (Urtica; see photograph—>) and Australian nettle trees (Laportea), have stinging hairs on the stems and leaves. The leaves are varied and the sap is usually watery. The small, greenish flowers (flower) often form clusters in the leaf axils. Both male and female flowers may be borne on the same plant. The curled stamens of the male flowers straighten quickly as the flowers open, releasing the pollen. The dry, one-seeded fruit often is enclosed by the outer whorl of the flower cluster. The long fibres in the stems of some species, such as ramie (q.v.; Boehmeria nivea), are used in the textile industry.

      One species of Australian nettle tree, Laportea moroides, is cultivated for its raspberry-like flower clusters. Pilea, a genus of creeping plants that includes the artillery plant (P. microphylla), and pellitory (Parietaria), a genus of wall plants, are grown as ornamentals. Baby tears (Helxine soleiroli), a mosslike creeping plant with round leaves, often is grown as a ground cover. The trumpet tree (Cecropia peltata), a tropical American species, has hollow stems that are inhabited by biting ants.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Urticaceae — Urticacées …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Urticacĕae — Urticacĕae, Pflanzenfamilie aus der Klasse der Juliflorae, Kräuter, Sträucher od. baumartige Pflanzen, mit wässerigem, seltner Milchsafte, entgegengesetzten od. abwechselnden, einfachen gestielten, fiedernervigen, ungetheilten gezähnten od.… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Urticaceae —   [lateinisch], die Nesselgewächse …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Urticaceae — Urticacées Parietaria erect …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Urticaceae — Nettle family Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle) Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae …   Wikipedia

  • Urticaceae —   Urticaceae Urtica dioica …   Wikipedia Español

  • Urticaceae — ? Крапивные Крапива двудомная (Urtica dioica) Научная классификация Царство: Растения …   Википедия

  • Urticaceae — Brennnesselgewächse Große Brennnessel (Urtica dioica) Systematik Abteilung: Bedecktsamer (Magnoliophyta) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Urticaceae — Ver texto Urticaceae es una familia de plantas herbáceas, anuales o perennes, raras veces leñosas (en los trópicos); frecuentemente con pelos urticantes (cistolitos). Sin látex. Hojas simples, opuestas o alternas, con frecuencia estipuladas.… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Urticaceae — noun a family of plants of order Urticales including many nettles with stinging hairs • Syn: ↑family Urticaceae, ↑nettle family • Hypernyms: ↑dicot family, ↑magnoliopsid family • Member Holonyms: ↑Urticales, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • URTICACEAE ENDL. — КРАПИВНЫЕ — 253. 254. 255. 256. 257. 258 …   Справочник растений

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