Rutaceae: Characters, Economic Importance, Distribution and Types

Diagnostic characters of Rutaceae:

1. Habit: Mostly perennial trees, some shrubs. 

2. Roots: Fibrous tap root.

3. Stem: Woody: spiny: Cylindrical: 

4. Leaves: Petiolate; Leave alternate or opposite: simple or compound; exstipulate; reticulate venation.

5. Inflorescence: Terminal or axillary cymes or panicle 

6. Flower: Pedicillate; bracteate or ebracteate; actinomorphic; Regular; complete; hermaphrodite: hypogynous.

7. Calyx: 4 or 5; free or united: imbricate; green.

8. Corolla: 4 or 5: free: imbricate.

9. Stamens: Twice the number of petals or sometimes numerous; free or polyadelphous; anther basifined.

10. Carpel: 4 or 5 or sometimes more: syncarpous; compound ovary; superior ovary; axile placentation. 

11. Fruits: berry or drupe. 

12. Seed: non-endospermic seed. 

Floral formula of Rutaceae:

Floral diagram of Rutaceae:

Economic Importance of Rutaceae:

1. Fruits: This family is very important for citrus fruits like orange, lemons, sweet lemons,s, and grape fruit. This family is ranked third in food production. 

2. Medicinal plants: Most of the plants of this family have medicinal importance. Their fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals. Most of vitamin C is extracted from these fruits. Aegle gives tannic acid. Leaves of Murraya koenigii (e#4¢) are used in flavoring. The twigs of Zanthoxylum alatum are used as tooth brushes. Oil of lemon is used in the preparation of mosquito oil.

3. Ornamental plants: Plants of Murraya, Ruta and Limonia are cultivated in the garden. Citrus limon is planted as hedge in lawns and parks. 

4. Uses in perfumes: The large white fragrant flowers and fruits are in perfumes. 

Distribution pattern of Rutaceae: 

Rutaceae family has a worldwide distribution. It is a large family. It has 120 genera and 900 Species. They are mostly distributed in tropical and temperate regions.

Common species of Rutaceae:

(a) Citrus acida (Lime).

(b) Citrus medica (Lemon).

(c) Citrus aurantium (orange).

(d) Citrus limetta (sweet lime).

(e) Murraya exotica.