Plant Families

Below is a brief introduction of the main plant families discussed across this website. Plant families are large groups of plants that share similar botanical characteristics (typically flower and fruit structure). These families – through the use of a binomial nomenclature (formalized by Carl Linnaeus) – are further divided and classify into genera and species. Each species contains a number of different cultivars (cultivated varieties). Hereafter a classification example with the Green Zebra tomato variety:

Because of the nature of seed saving and the work that is involved, knowing the botanical name of common vegetables, herbs and fruits is essential for proper preservation of specific plant varieties. Indeed, while crossings are rare between plants that belong to different species, different varieties of plants within the same species will cross with one another, including some of their wild counterparts.

Families

• Amaranthaceae, also known as the amaranth family, notably includes:
  
  • Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.)

• Amaryllidaceae, also known as the amaryllis family, notably includes:
  
  • Common Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
  • Common Onion (Allium cepa)
  • Garlic and Shallot (Allium sativum, Allium cepa)
  • Leek (Allium ampeloprasum)

• Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae), also known as umbellifers, notably includes:
  
  • Carrot (Daucus carota)
  • Celery (Apium graveolens)
  • Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
  • Dill (Anethum graveolens)
  • Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
  • Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

• Asteraceae (or Compositae), also known as the sunflower family, notably includes:
  
  • Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus)
  • Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. cardunculus)
  • Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
  • Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
  • Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
  • Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

• Brassicaceae, also known as the cabbage/crucifer family, notably includes:
  
  • Broccoli and Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. italica, var. botrytis)
  • Brussels Sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)
  • Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
  • Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)
  • Kolhrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes)
  • Radish (Raphanus sativus var. sativus, var. niger)
  • Rocket (Eruca vesicaria)
  • Turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapifera)
  • Watercress (Rorippa nasturtium var. aquaticum)

• Caricaceae notably includes:
  
  • Papaya (Carica papaya)

• Chenopodiaceae, also known as the goosefoot family (now included in the Amaranthaceae family), notably includes:
  
  • Beetroot, Sugar Beet and Chard (Beta vulgaris)
  • Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

• Cucurbitaceae, also known as cucurbits/the gourd family, notably includes:
  
  • Chayote (Sechium edule)
  • Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
  • Melon (Cucumis melo)
  • Squash (Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita pepo)
  • Watermelon (Citrullus latanus)
  • Zucchini (Cucumis pepo)

• Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), also known the bean family, notably includes:
  
  • Broad Bean (Vicia faba)
  • Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
  • Lentil (Lens culinaris)
  • Pea (Pisum sativum)
  • Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)

• Lamiaceae (or Labiatae), also known as the mint family, notably includes:
  
  • Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
  • Common Mint (Mentha spicata)
  • Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
  • Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
  • Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Malvaceae notably includes:
  
  • Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

• Passifloraceae notably includes:
  
  • Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis)

• Poaceae (or Gramineae), also known as grasses, notably includes:
  
  • Corn (Zea mays)

• Solanaceae, also known as nightshades, notably includes:
  
  • Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
  • Sweet Pepper and Chilli Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
  • Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)