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Taxa

Moraceae

Plant Families

Moraceae, commonly known as the mulberry family or fig family, is a family of flowering plants in the order Rosales comprising about 48 genera and over 1,100 species distributed across tropical, subtropical, and some temperate regions. Its members are marked by latex producing glands in the leaves and stems and milky sap in soft tissues, typically with two carpels, one often reduced, inconspicuous compound flowers, and compound fruit. The family ranges in size from the towering Indian banyan to small succulents and includes the common fig, breadfruit, jackfruit, and mulberry.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Family 1
Scientific Name
Moraceae 1
Member Species/Taxa Count
1100 1
Geographic Distribution
Most widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, less so in temperate climates, with an overall cosmopolitan distribution. 1
Defining Characteristics
The only common characteristic across the family is latex-producing glands in the leaves and stems, with milky sap in the soft tissues. 1
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Field identification relies on two carpels (sometimes with one reduced), compound inconspicuous flowers often reduced to pseudanthia, and compound fruits. 1
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Connections

Parent Taxon Of

Banyan, Species
Source Wikidata: Banyan
Breadfruit, Species
Source Wikidata: Breadfruit
Strangler Fig, Species
Source GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Ficus
Source Streblus asper (Wikidata)
Sources
1. Moraceae (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 1 (taxonomic rank)
    Moraceae is a family of flowering plants comprising about 48 genera and over 1100 species, and is commonly known as the mulberry or fig family.
  • Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 1 (family name)
    Moraceae is a family of flowering plants comprising about 48 genera and over 1100 species, and is commonly known as the mulberry or fig family.
  • Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 1 (genus and species count)
    Moraceae is a family of flowering plants comprising about 48 genera and over 1100 species, and is commonly known as the mulberry or fig family.
  • Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 2
    Most are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, less so in temperate climates; however, their distribution is cosmopolitan overall.
  • Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 3 (first clause)
    The only common characteristics within the family are the presence of latex-producing glands in the leaves and stems, and milky sap in the soft tissues;
  • Introduction
    The only common characteristics within the family are the presence of latex-producing glands in the leaves and stems, and milky sap in the soft tissues; but generally useful field characters include two carpels sometimes with one reduced, compound inconspicuous flowers, and compound fruit.
  • In Group: Rosid Families, Lead
    Moraceae is a family of flowering plants comprising about 48 genera and over 1100 species, and is commonly known as the mulberry or fig family.
View the Source
2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ156579, descriptionView the Source
Wikidata: Moraceae
Wikidata Q156579, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Wikidata: Banyan
Parent Taxon Of: Banyan, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Streblus asper (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Streblus asper, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Wikidata: Breadfruit
Parent Taxon Of: Breadfruit, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Ficus
GBIF Backbone TaxonomyParent Taxon Of: Strangler Fig, Taxon record
Quote, Parent Taxon Of: Strangler Fig, Taxon record
"family": "Moraceae"
View the Source
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