family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
, the nettle family, of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants t ...
s. The family name comes from the genus ''
Urtica
''Urtica'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae. Many species have stinging hairs and may be called nettles or stinging nettles, although the latter name applies particularly to '' Urtica dioica''.
''Urtica'' species are food ...
''. The Urticaceae include a number of well-known and useful plants, including nettles in the genus ''Urtica'', ramie (''Boehmeria nivea''), māmaki ('' Pipturus albidus''), and ajlai ('' Debregeasia saeneb'').
The family includes about 2,625 species, grouped into 53 genera according to the database of the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. An internationally important botanical research and education institution, it employs 1,100 ...
and Christenhusz and Byng (2016). The largest genera are '' Pilea'' (500 to 715 species), '' Elatostema'' (300 species), ''
Urtica
''Urtica'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae. Many species have stinging hairs and may be called nettles or stinging nettles, although the latter name applies particularly to '' Urtica dioica''.
''Urtica'' species are food ...
'' (80 species), and '' Cecropia'' (75 species). '' Cecropia'' contains many myrmecophytes.
Urticaceae species can be found worldwide, apart from the polar regions.
Description
Urticaceae species can be shrubs (e.g. '' Pilea''), lianas, herbs (e.g. ''
Urtica
''Urtica'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae. Many species have stinging hairs and may be called nettles or stinging nettles, although the latter name applies particularly to '' Urtica dioica''.
''Urtica'' species are food ...
leaves
A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, st ...
are usually entire and bear stipules. Urticating (stinging) hairs are often present. They have usually unisexual flowers and can be both
monoecious
Monoecy (; adj. monoecious ) is a sexual system in seed plants where separate male and female cones or flowers are present on the same plant. It is a monomorphic sexual system alongside gynomonoecy, andromonoecy and trimonoecy.
Monoecy is ...
or
dioecious
Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproducti ...
. They are
wind-pollinated
Anemophily or wind pollination is a form of pollination whereby pollen is distributed by wind. Almost all gymnosperms are anemophilous, as are many plants in the order Poales, including grasses, sedges, and rushes. Other common anemophilo ...
. Most disperse their
pollen
Pollen is a powdery substance produced by seed plants. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen grains have a hard coat made of sporopollenin that protects the gametop ...
when the
stamen
The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10
Morphology and terminology
A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the fila ...
s are mature and their filaments straighten explosively, a peculiar and conspicuously specialised mechanism.
Taxonomy
The
APG II system
The APG II system (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group II system) of plant classification is the second, now obsolete, version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy that was published in April 2003 by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Gr ...
puts the Urticaceae in the order Rosales, while older systems consider them part of the Urticales, along with Ulmaceae, Moraceae, and Cannabaceae. APG still considers "old" Urticales a monophyletic group, but does not recognise it as an order on its own.
Fossil record
The
fossil
A fossil (from Classical Latin , ) is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved ...
record of Urticaceae is scattered and mostly based on dispersed fruits. Twelve species based on fossil
achene
An achene (; ), also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not o ...
s are known from the
Late Cretaceous
The Late Cretaceous (100.5–66 Ma) is the younger of two epochs into which the Cretaceous Period is divided in the geologic time scale. Rock strata from this epoch form the Upper Cretaceous Series. The Cretaceous is named after ''creta'', ...
of
Central Europe
Central Europe is an area of Europe between Western Europe and Eastern Europe, based on a common historical, social and cultural identity. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) between Catholicism and Protestantism significantly shaped the a ...
. Most were assigned to the extant genera ''
Boehmeria
''Boehmeria'' is a genus of 47 species of flowering plants in the nettle family Urticaceae. Of the species, 33 are indigenous to the Old World and 14 to the New World; no species is indigenous to both the Old and New Worlds. The species include ...
'' (three species), '' Debregeasia'' (one species) and '' Pouzolzia'' (three species), while three species were assigned to the
extinct
Extinction is the termination of a kind of organism or of a group of kinds (taxon), usually a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and ...
genus ''Urticoidea''. A Colombian fossil flora of the
Maastrichtian
The Maastrichtian () is, in the ICS geologic timescale, the latest age (uppermost stage) of the Late Cretaceous Epoch or Upper Cretaceous Series, the Cretaceous Period or System, and of the Mesozoic Era or Erathem. It spanned the inte ...
stage has yielded leaves that resemble leaves of the tribe Ceropieae. In the
Cenozoic
The Cenozoic ( ; ) is Earth's current geological era, representing the last 66million years of Earth's history. It is characterised by the dominance of mammals, birds and flowering plants, a cooling and drying climate, and the current configu ...
fossil leaves from the
Ypresian
In the geologic timescale the Ypresian is the oldest age or lowest stratigraphic stage of the Eocene. It spans the time between , is preceded by the Thanetian Age (part of the Paleocene) and is followed by the Eocene Lutetian Age. The Ypresian ...
trichome
Trichomes (); ) are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants, algae, lichens, and certain protists. They are of diverse structure and function. Examples are hairs, glandular hairs, scales, and papillae. A covering of any kind of hair on a p ...
s, and have been attributed to the Tribe Urticeae in the fossil record. The leaves had originally been identified as ''
Rubus
''Rubus'' is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae, with over 1,350 species.
Raspberries, blackberries, and dewberries are common, widely distributed members of the genus. Most of the ...
'' by earlier workers on the Eocene Okanagan Highlands, but Devore ''et al'' (2020) interpreted the preserved hairs along the stem and major veins as stinging trichomes, rather than simple hairs or thorns.
Phylogeny
Modern
molecular phylogenetics
Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...
Boehmeria
''Boehmeria'' is a genus of 47 species of flowering plants in the nettle family Urticaceae. Of the species, 33 are indigenous to the Old World and 14 to the New World; no species is indigenous to both the Old and New Worlds. The species include ...
Neraudia
''Neraudia'' is a genus of plants in family Urticaceae. All five species are endemic to Hawaii.Nothocnide'' Blume 1856 (4 spp.)
**''
Oreocnide
''Oreocnide'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae.
Its native range is Tropical and Subtropical Asia.
Species
Species:
*'' Oreocnide boniana''
*'' Oreocnide frutescens''
*'' Oreocnide integrifolia''
*'' Oreocn ...
805
__NOTOC__
Year 805 ( DCCCV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Byzantine Empire
* Siege of Patras: Local Slavic tribes of the Peloponnese lay siege to ...
/small> (7 spp.)
**''
Pourouma
''Pourouma'' is a genus of at least 20–25 species of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae, or alternately, the Cecropiaceae, native to tropical regions of Central and South America.Germplasm Resources Information Network''Pourouma''/ref ...
Achudemia
''Achudemia'' is a genus of plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. It is sometimes also treated as a section of the genus ''Pilea
''Pilea'', with 600–715 species, is the largest genus of flowering plants in the nettle family Urticaceae.
...
Gyrotaenia
''Gyrotaenia'' is a genus of plants in the family Urticaceae
The Urticaceae are a family, the nettle family, of flowering plants. The family name comes from the genus ''Urtica''. The Urticaceae include a number of well-known and useful plant ...
Procris
In Greek mythology, Procris ( grc, Πρόκρις, ''gen''.: Πρόκριδος) was an Athenian princess as the third daughter of Erechtheus, king of Athens and his wife, Praxithea, daughter of Phrasimus and Diogeneia. Homer mentions her in ...
Didymodoxa
''Didymodoxa'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae.
Its native range is Eritrea to Southern Africa.
Species:
*''Didymodoxa caffra''
*''Didymodoxa capensis''
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q8470887
Urticaceae ...
'' E. Mey. ex Wedd. 1857 (2 spp.)
**'' Droguetia'' Gaudich. 1830 (7 spp.)
**'' Forsskaolea'' L. 1764 (6 spp.)
* Parietarieae Gaudich. 1830
**'' Gesnouinia'' Gaudich. 1830 (2 spp.)
**'' Parietaria'' L. 1753 (20 spp.)
**''
Soleirolia
''Soleirolia soleirolii'' (, syn. ''Helxine soleirolii'') is a plant in the nettle family. It has a number of common names, including baby's tears, angel's tears, peace in the home, bits and pieces, bread and cheese, Corsican creeper, Corsican ...
Discocnide
''Discocnide'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. The only species is ''Discocnide mexicana''.
Its native range is Mexico to Central America.
References
{{Taxonbar, from1=Q8560335, from2=Q15613057 ...
'' Chew 1965 (1 sp.)
**''
Girardinia
''Girardinia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae.
Its native range is the tropical and subtropical Old World to Russian Far East. It is found in the countries of Angola, Assam, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, China, ...
Obetia
''Obetia'' is a genus of dioecious plants in the family Urticaceae
The Urticaceae are a family, the nettle family, of flowering plants. The family name comes from the genus ''Urtica''. The Urticaceae include a number of well-known and useful ...
Urtica
''Urtica'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae. Many species have stinging hairs and may be called nettles or stinging nettles, although the latter name applies particularly to '' Urtica dioica''.
''Urtica'' species are food ...
'' L. 1753—nettle (80 spp.)
**'' Zhengyia'' T. Deng, D.G. Zhang & H. Sun 2013 (1 sp.)
*'' Incertae sedis''
**'' Metatrophis'' F. Br. 1935 (1 sp.)
**''
Parsana
''Parsana'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. It just contains one species, ''Parsana malekiana'' Parsa & Maleki
It is native to Iran.
The genus name of ''Parsana'' is in honour of Ahmad Parsa (1907– ...
'' Parsa & Maleki 1952 (1 sp.)
Diseases
The Urticaceae are subject to many bacterial, viral, fungal, and nematode parasitic diseases. Among them are:
* Bacterial leaf spot, caused by ''
Xanthomonas campestris
''Xanthomonas campestris'' is a bacterium that causes a variety of plant diseases, including "black rot" in cruciferous vegetables and bacterial wilt of turfgrass.
It is also used in the commercial production of xanthan gum, a high-molecular-we ...
'' which affects '' Pellionia'', '' Pilea'', and other genera
*
Anthracnose
A plant canker is a small area of dead tissue, which grows slowly, often over years. Some cankers are of only minor consequence, but others are ultimately lethal and therefore can have major economic implications for agriculture and horticultur ...
, a fungal disease caused by ''
Colletotrichum capsici
''Colletotrichum capsici'' is a species of fungus and plant pathogen which causes leaf blight on ''Chlorophytum borivilianum'', basil, chickpea and pepper as well as dieback in pigeonpea and anthracnose in poinsettia
The poinsettia ( or ) ...
'' which affects ''Pilea''
* Myrothecium leaf spot, a fungal disease caused by ''
Myrothecium roridum
''Myrothecium roridum'' is a fungal plant pathogen. Myrotoxin B
Myrotoxin B is a macrocyclic trichothecene first isolated in 1985. It was tested on Swiss mice and found to be very toxic, though not the most toxic of the three toxins that were t ...
'' which affects plants throughout the Urticaceae, as well as other angiosperms
* Phytophthora blight, a
water mold
Oomycota forms a distinct phylogenetic lineage of fungus-like eukaryotic microorganisms, called oomycetes (). They are filamentous and heterotrophic, and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction of an oospore is the result ...
disease caused by ''
Phytophthora nicotianae
''Phytophthora nicotianae'' or black shank is an oomycete belonging to the order Peronosprales and family Peronosporaceae.
Hosts and symptoms
''Phytophthora nicotianae'' has a broad host range comprising 255 genera from 90 families. Hosts in ...
'' which affects ''Pilea''
* Southern blight, a fungal disease caused by '' Athelia rolfsii'' which affects both ''Pellionia'' and ''Pilea''