Table of Contents
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.