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[SIZE=-1]Defining Features:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1] Some species of Aristolochia being eaten by caterpillars of birdwing butterflies.[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Defining Morphology:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1] Floral Features: Flowers are large, actinomorphic or zygomorphic and bi***ual. Calyx is tubular and fused (often pipe-shaped). Petals are often lacking or vestigial. Inflorescence (axillary) is a solitary flower or in cymes or racemes. Flower parts are 3-merous. Ovaries are inferior to half-inferior with axile or parietal placentation. Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit as a capsule, schizocarp or dry-baccate. Seeds have small embryos and oily endosperm. Vegetative Features: Habit as herbaceous plants, shrubs or usually woody lianas. Leaves are simple, entire (rarely lobed), sometimes punctate and alternate. Leaves have palmate venation. Stipules are lacking.[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Distribution: [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Tropical with a few temperate species. None in Australia.[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Economic Use:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1] As a cultivated ornamental vine and medicinal products.[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Number of Genera Globally: [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]7[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Number of Species Globally: [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]460 [h=4]What are aristolochic acids?[/h]Aristolochic acids are a family of acids found naturally in the plants Aristolochia and Asarum. [h=4]How are aristolochic acids used?[/h]Plants containing aristolochic acids are often used as herbal medicines or in other botanical products in the United States and abroad. Aristolochic acids may be found as a contaminant in herbal products used to treat a wide variety of symptoms and diseases, such as arthritis, gout, and inflammation. [h=4]How are people exposed to aristolochic acids?[/h]Exposure may occur though the intentional or unintentional eating or drinking of herbal or food products that contain aristolochic acids. In 2001, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers to stop using any products that may contain aristolochic acids, after seeing an increase in nephropathy, or kidney disease, among users; however, products containing aristolochic acids can still be purchased on the Internet and abroad. [h=4]Aristolochic Acids are now listed as a known carcinogen. Where can I get more information on Aristolochic Acids and what herbal products contain Aristolochic Acids?[/h]Aristolochic acids are often used as herbal medicines or other botanical products in the United States and abroad to treat a wide variety of symptoms and ailments. Exposure may occur though the intentional or unintentional eating or drinking of herbal or food products that contain aristolochic acids. In 2001, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers to stop using any products that may contain aristolochic acids, after seeing an increase in nephropathy, or kidney disease, among users; however, products containing aristolochic acids can still be purchased on the Internet and abroad. [/SIZE] |
[SIZE=+2]. [h=2]Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae), the rooster tree[/h] Classification[/SIZE] |
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order Type: Eudicots-Asterids I Order: Gentianales Family: Apocynaceae + Asclepiadaceae Family Common Name: Milkweed Family Genera: Amsonia, Asclepias, Catharanthus, Nerium, vinca |