Learn more about
Types of Flowers

© Copyright 2009 - TipsOnFlowerGardening.com - All rights reserved

There are so many ways to view the types of flowers that it could take a whole book to cover all the ways.

So, we bet you'll understand we stick to the very basics on this website.

The family is a way of grouping plants by their shared features that sets them apart from the other flower families. The shared features are their petals, sepals and leaves.

There are about 250,000 to 400,000 flowering plants. It all depends on whom you ask and the definition of 'a flower'.

Don't feel embarrassed if you only know 10 or 15. We've never met some one who knew 'm all :)

To give you an idea, here is one list of the Latin family types:

• Orchidaceae - Orchid family
  This is the largest family.
• Compositae or Asteraceae - Daisy/Aster Family
  Guess you know what that stands for.
• Fabaceae or Leguminosae - Pea family
  This is the third largest family. The members of this family range from trees to annual herbs. Also known as legume family, bean family or pulse family, this family includes mimosa.
• Raceae - Aroid family
  These include arum and elephant ear.
• Campanulaceae - Bellflower Family
  Lobelias belong to this family.
• Caryophyllaceae - Pink Family
  This is also known as the carnation family.
• Cruciferae - Mustard Family
  Alyssum, cabbages, and cauliflower belong to this family.
• Cyperaceae - Sedge family
  These look like grasses but they aren’t. Water chestnut is an example. These tend to be tropical and are usually found in Asia or South America.
• Euphorbiaceae -Spurge family
  These tend to be tropical. The para rubber tree is a good example.
• Lamiaceae or Labiatae - Mint Family
  You will find lots of these in your herb garden. Some even qualify as shrubs. Examples are basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme, and lavender.
• Liliaceae - LilyFamily
  These family members have linear leaves and three-part flowers.
• Malvaceae - Mallow family
  The hibiscus is a member of this family.
• Poaceae or Gramineae - Grass family
  Ornamental grasses and bamboo are a couple of examples.
• Polygonaceae - Smartweed Family
  These plants have knotty joints. Rhubarb and knotgrass are examples.
• Rubiaceae - Madder family
  This flowering plant family is also known as the bedstraw, or coffee family. Good examples are the gardenia and the partridgeberry.

• Ranunculaceae - Buttercup Family.
• Rosaceae - Rose Family
• Umbelliferae - Parsley Family