Rubiaceae

The Matter Family or more commonly known as the

Coffee Family

Atractocarpus sp.(Rubiaceae),

Presentada por: Gerardo Gutirrez

Introduction
This is one of the largest flowering plant families, with approximately 10,700 species and about 650 genera. Most of them occurring in tropical regions of the world. A few occur in temperate regions, when they are herbaceous. They are mainly woody trees and shrubs.

Classification
The Rubiaceae belong to the class Magnoliopsida and the subclass Asteridae. The Rubiaceae family is monophyletic and belongs to the Gentianales. They are subdivided into four subfamilies. The four subfamilies include:
Cinchonideae Ixoroideae Antirheoideae Rubioideae

Features
Mainly shrubs and trees Leaves opposite, simple, entire Inflorescence cymose Flowers bisexual, rarely zygomorphic Calyx with 4-5 sepals, 5 lobed Corolla with 4-5 petals Style Slender Stigma capitate or lobed

More Description
Androecium with 4-5 stamens Gynoecium with 2 (rarely 1) united carpels Ovary inferior, rarely superior or semi-inferior Bilocular with 1 ovule in each chamber Nectar disc present above the ovary Fruit- berry, capsule, drupe or schizocarp

Geographical areas of interest

Major area of interest includes Central Africa
Cameroon Gabon Congo-Brazzaville Congo-Kinshasa

Rubiaceae form a large component of these forests. In Madagascar, the Rubiaceae is the second largest family of flowering plants, represented by circa 1000 species

Importances of Rubiaceae
Rubiaceae are have many economically importances. Importance's include dyes from (Rubia cordifolia) and the bark of (Morinda angustifolia), and using the lacquer from (Elaeagia) in artwork. Some of the most popular importances include:
-Coffee (Coffea arabica) -Medicine: Quinine (Cinchona) -Ornamentals (Ixora, Gardenia and Mussaeda )

Quinine & other medicinal plants

Cinchona which yields quinine is used as a cure for malaria. Cephaelis ipecacuanha produces the wellknown drop vinum which is used against dysentery and liver diseases. Uncaria gambir is the source of gambier which is used as a lotion to treat burns. In paste form, it is used to treat scurf. It has commonly been used to treat diarrhea and as a gargle for sore throat.

Cephaelis ipecacuanha & Uncaria gambir

Quinine

Ornamentals
Gardenias are popular shrubs and ornamentals in the southern part of the United States Ixora may be the most common flowering shrub seen in South Florida and 'Nora Grant' is the most popular of them all. Mussaenda is among the most sought after tropical shrubs for intense beauty shown from highly colorful flower bracts blooming all warmer and hot months

Gardenia jasminoides

Ixora coccinea

Mussaenda erythrophylla

Coffee
The Rubiaceae's best-known member is undoubtedly the Coffea.(Coffea arabica) Worldwide, an estimate of 15 billion coffee trees are growing on 100,000 km of land. Coffee is an important primary commodity. With over 500 billion cups consumed every year, coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages.

Fruit of Coffea arabica

Flowers of Coffea arabica

Coffee