Plant Family: 354 Genera in Brassicaceae

My Fascination with the Brassicaceae Family

The Brassicaceae family, also known as the mustard family or the Cruciferae family, has always held a special place in my heart. This diverse and widespread group of plants boasts a fascinating array of characteristics, from their distinctive four-petaled flowers to their unique pungent flavors. As a plant enthusiast, I’ve always been drawn to the Brassicaceae family for its remarkable combination of beauty, utility, and evolutionary ingenuity.

Key Characteristics of Brassicaceae Plants

One of the most striking features of Brassicaceae plants is their four-petaled flowers, which are often arranged in a cross-like pattern. This characteristic arrangement is the reason behind the family’s former name, Cruciferae, which means “cross-bearing.” The flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, and purple, adding a touch of vibrancy to any landscape.

Another hallmark of Brassicaceae plants is their production of glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds responsible for the family’s distinctive pungent flavors and aromas. These compounds play a vital role in the plant’s defense against herbivores and pathogens, making them a fascinating example of chemical warfare in the natural world.

The Brassicaceae family is also known for its diverse range of fruit types, which include siliques, silicles, and capsules. These fruits vary in shape and size, from long and slender siliques to short and rounded silicles. This diversity in fruit morphology is a testament to the family’s remarkable adaptability and evolutionary success.

A Rich Tapestry of Genera

The Brassicaceae family encompasses a vast array of genera, each with its unique characteristics and ecological roles.

1. Brassica: This genus includes some of the most economically important crops in the world, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. These vegetables are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making them a staple in many cuisines. – 42 Species in Genus Brassica
2. Raphanus: This genus is home to the radish, a root vegetable known for its crisp texture and peppery flavor. Radishes come in a variety of colors, including red, white, and black, adding a splash of color to salads and other dishes.
3. Sinapis: This genus includes mustard plants, which are cultivated for their seeds used to make mustard condiments. Mustard seeds come in a variety of flavors, from mild yellow mustard to spicy brown mustard, adding a zesty kick to sandwiches and other dishes. – 3 Species in Genus Sinapis
4. Arabidopsis: This genus includes the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana, which has played a crucial role in plant biology research. Its small genome size, rapid life cycle, and ease of cultivation make it an ideal subject for studying various aspects of plant development and physiology. – 12 Species in Genus Arabidopsis
5. Capsella: This genus includes the shepherd’s purse, a common weed found in disturbed habitats. Despite its weedy nature, the shepherd’s purse has a long history of medicinal use, with its leaves and seeds used to treat various ailments. – 8 Species in Genus Capsella
6. Abdra Greene
7. Acirostrum Y.Z.Zhao
8. Acuston Raf.
9. Aethionema W.T.Aiton
10. Aimara Salariato & Al-Shehbaz
11. Alliaria Heist. ex Fabr.
12. Alshehbazia Salariato & Zuloaga
13. Altriarabis Y.Z.Zhao
14. Alyssoides Mill.
15. Alyssopsis Boiss.
16. Alyssum L. – 115 Species in Genus Alyssum
17. Ammosperma Hook.f.
18. Anastatica L.
19. Ancashia Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A.Cano & Zuloaga
20. Andrzeiowskia Rchb.
21. Anelsonia J.F.Macbr. & Payson
22. Anzhengxia Al-Shehbaz & D.A.German
23. Aphragmus Andrz. ex DC.
24. Aplanodes Marais
25. Arabidella (F.Muell.) O.E.Schulz
26. Arabis L. – 103 Species in Genus Arabis
27. Arcyosperma O.E.Schulz
28. Armoracia G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. – 3 Species in Genus Armoracia
29. Aschersoniodoxa Gilg & Muschl.
30. Asperuginoides Rauschert
31. Asta Klotzsch ex O.E.Schulz
32. Atacama Toro-Núñez, Mort & Al-Shehbaz
33. Atelanthera Hook.f. & Thomson
34. Athysanus Greene
35. Aubrieta Adans. – 24 Species in Genus Aubrieta
36. Aurinia (L.) Desv. – 7 Species in Genus Aurinia
37. Baimashania Al-Shehbaz
38. Ballantinia Hook.f. ex Airy Shaw
39. Barbamine A.P.Khokhr.
40. Barbarea W.T.Aiton
41. Bengt-jonsellia Al-Shehbaz
42. Berteroa DC.
43. Bifurcipilus Y.Z.Zhao
44. Biscutella L.
45. Bivonaea DC.
46. Blennodia R.Br.
47. Boechera Á.Löve & D.Löve
48. Borealandea Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A.Cano & Zuloaga
49. Bornmuellera Hausskn.
50. Borodinia Busch
51. Botschantzevia Nabiev
52. Brachypus Ledeb.
53. Braya Sternb. & Hoppe
54. Bunias L.
55. Cakile Mill.
56. Calepina Adans.
57. Calymmatium O.E.Schulz
58. Camelina Crantz – 8 Species in Genus Camelina
59. Cardamine L. – 277 Species in Genus Cardamine
60. Carinavalva Ising
61. Carrichtera DC.
62. Catenulina Soják
63. Catolobus (C.A.Mey.) Al-Shehbaz
64. Ceratocnemum Coss. & Balansa
65. Chamira Thunb.
66. Chartoloma Bunge
67. Chaunanthus O.E.Schulz
68. Chilocardamum O.E.Schulz
69. Chlorocrambe Rydb.
70. Chorispora R.Br. ex DC.
71. Christolea Cambess.
72. Chrysochamela (Fenzl) Boiss.
73. Cithareloma Bunge
74. Clastopus Bunge ex Boiss.
75. Clausia Korn.-Trotzky
76. Clypeola L.
77. Cochlearia L.
78. Coincya Rouy
79. Conringia Heist. ex Fabr.
80. Cordylocarpus Desf.
81. Crambe L.
82. Crambella Maire
83. Cremolobus DC.
84. Crucihimalaya Al-Shehbaz, O’Kane & R.A.Price
85. Cryptospora Kar. & Kir.
86. Cuprella Salmerón-Sánchez, Mota & Fuertes
87. Cusickiella Rollins
88. Cymatocarpus O.E.Schulz
89. Dactylocardamum Al-Shehbaz
90. Degenia Hayek
91. Delpinophytum Speg.
92. Descurainia Webb & Berthel.
93. Diceratella Boiss.
94. Dichasianthus Ovcz. & Yunusov
95. Dictyophragmus O.E.Schulz
96. Didesmus Desv.
97. Didymophysa Boiss.
98. Dielsiocharis O.E.Schulz
99. Dilophia Thomson
100. Dimorphocarpa Rollins
101. Diplotaxis DC.
102. Dipoma Franch.
103. Diptychocarpus Trautv.
104. Dithyrea Harv.
105. Dontostemon Andrz. ex C.A.Mey.
106. Douepea Cambess.
107. Draba Dill. ex L. – 468 Species in Genus Draba
108. Drabastrum (F.Muell.) O.E.Schulz
109. Drabella (DC.) Fourr.
110. Dryopetalon A.Gray
111. Dvorakia D.A.German
112. Eigia Soják
113. Enarthrocarpus Labill.
114. Englerocharis Muschl.
115. Eremobium Boiss.
116. Eremoblastus Botch.
117. Eremophyton Bég.
118. Eruca Mill.
119. Erucaria Gaertn.
120. Erucastrum (DC.) C.Presl
121. Erysimum Tourn. ex L. – 272 Species in Genus Erysimum
122. Euclidium W.T.Aiton
123. Eudema Bonpl.
124. Eutrema R.Br.
125. Exhalimolobos Al-Shehbaz & C.D.Bailey
126. Farsetia Turra
127. Fezia Pit. ex Batt.
128. Fibigia Medik.
129. Foleyola Maire
130. Fortuynia Shuttlew. ex Boiss.
131. Fourraea Greuter & Burdet
132. Galitzkya V.V.Botschantz.
133. Geococcus J.Drumm. ex Harv.
134. Glastaria Boiss.
135. Goerkemia Yıld.
136. Goldbachia DC.
137. Gongylis Theophr. ex Molinari & Sánchez Och.
138. Graellsia Boiss.
139. Guiraoa Coss.
140. Gynophorea Gilli
141. Halimolobos Tausch
142. Harmsiodoxa O.E.Schulz
143. Hedinia Ostenf.
144. Heldreichia Boiss.
145. Heliophila Burm.f. ex L.
146. Hemicrambe Webb
147. Hemilophia Franch.
148. Henophyton Coss. & Durieu
149. Hesperidanthus Rydb.
150. Hesperis L. – 53 Species in Genus Hesperis
151. Hirschfeldia Münchh.
152. Hollermayera O.E.Schulz
153. Hormathophylla Cullen & T.R.Dudley
154. Hornungia Rchb.
155. Horwoodia Turrill
156. Hurkaea Al-Shehbaz, M.Koch, R.Karl & D.A.German
157. Ianhedgea Al-Shehbaz & O’Kane
158. Iberis Dill. ex L. – 32 Species in Genus Iberis
159. Idahoa A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.
160. Iljinskaea Al-Shehbaz, Özüdoğru & D.A.German
161. Iodanthus Torr. & A.Gray
162. Ionopsidium Rchb.
163. Irania Hadač & Chrtek
164. Irenepharsus Hewson
165. Isatis Tourn. ex L.
166. Iskandera N.Busch
167. Ivania O.E.Schulz
168. Kernera Medik.
169. Kremeriella Maire
170. Lachnocapsa Balf.f.
171. Lachnoloma Bunge
172. Ladakiella D.A.German & Al-Shehbaz
173. Leavenworthia Torr.
174. Leiospora (C.A.Mey.) F.Dvořák
175. Lemphoria O.E.Schulz
176. Lepidium L. – 264 Species in Genus Lepidium
177. Lepidostemon Hook.f. & Thomson
178. Lepidotrichum Velen. & Bornm.
179. Leptaleum DC.
180. Litwinowia Woronow
181. Lobularia Desv. – 4 Species in Genus Lobularia
182. Lonchophora Durieu
183. Lunaria Tourn. ex L. – 3 Species in Genus Lunaria
184. Lutzia Gand.
185. Lycocarpus O.E.Schulz
186. Lyrocarpa Hook. & Harv.
187. Lysakia Esmailbegi & Al-Shehbaz
188. Machaerophorus Schltdl.
189. Macropodium W.T.Aiton
190. Malcolmia W.T.Aiton
191. Mancoa Wedd.
192. Marcus-kochia Al-Shehbaz
193. Maresia Pomel
194. Mathewsia Hook. & Arn.
195. Matthiola W.T.Aiton – 56 Species in Genus Matthiola
196. Megacarpaea DC.
197. Megadenia Maxim.
198. Meniocus Desv.
199. Menkea Lehm.
200. Menonvillea DC.
201. Metashangrilaia Al-Shehbaz & D.A.German
202. Microlepidium F.Muell.
203. Microstigma Trautv.
204. Morettia DC.
205. Moricandia DC.
206. Moriera Boiss.
207. Morisia J.Gay
208. Mostacillastrum O.E.Schulz
209. Mummenhoffia Esmailbegi & Al-Shehbaz
210. Murbeckiella Rothm.
211. Muricaria Desv.
212. Mutarda Bernh.
213. Myagrum L.
214. Nasturtiopsis Boiss.
215. Nasturtium W.T.Aiton
216. Neotorularia Hedge & J.Léonard
217. Nerisyrenia Greene
218. Neslia Desv.
219. Neuontobotrys O.E.Schulz
220. Nevada N.H.Holmgren
221. Noccaea Moench
222. Noccaeopsis F.K.Mey.
223. Noccidium F.K.Mey.
224. Notoceras W.T.Aiton
225. Notothlaspi Hook.f.
226. Ochthodium DC.
227. Octoceras Bunge
228. Odontarrhena C.A.Mey.
229. Olimarabidopsis Al-Shehbaz, O’Kane & R.A.Price
230. Onuris Phil.
231. Oreoloma Botsch.
232. Oreophyton O.E.Schulz
233. Ornithocarpa Rose
234. Orychophragmus Bunge
235. Otocarpus Durieu
236. Pachycladon Hook.f.
237. Pachymitus O.E.Schulz
238. Pachyneurum Bunge
239. Pachyphragma Rchb.
240. Parlatoria Boiss.
241. Parodiodoxa O.E.Schulz
242. Parolinia Webb
243. Parrya R.Br.
244. Paysonia O’Kane & Al-Shehbaz
245. Peltaria Jacq.
246. Peltariopsis (Boiss.) N.Busch
247. Pennellia Nieuwl.
248. Petiniotia J.Léonard
249. Petrocallis W.T.Aiton
250. Petroravenia Al-Shehbaz
251. Phlebolobium O.E.Schulz
252. Phlegmatospermum O.E.Schulz
253. Phoenicaulis Nutt.
254. Phravenia Al-Shehbaz & Warwick
255. Phyllolepidum Trinajstić
256. Physaria A.Gray
257. Physoptychis Boiss.
258. Physorhynchus Hook.
259. Plagioloba (C.A.Mey.) Rchb.
260. Planodes Greene
261. Polyctenium Greene
262. Polypsecadium O.E.Schulz
263. Pringlea Anderson ex Hook.f.
264. Pseuderucaria O.E.Schulz
265. Pseudoarabidopsis Al-Shehbaz, O’Kane & R.A.Price
266. Pseudocamelina (Boiss.) N.Busch
267. Pseudodraba Al-Shehbaz, D.A.German & M.Koch
268. Pseudoturritis Al-Shehbaz
269. Pseudovesicaria (Boiss.) Rupr.
270. Psychine Desf.
271. Pterygostemon V.V.Botschantz.
272. Ptilotrichum C.A.Mey.
273. Pugionium Gaertn.
274. Pulvinatusia J.P.Yue, H.L.Chen, Al-Shehbaz & H.Sun
275. Pycnoplinthopsis Jafri
276. Pycnoplinthus O.E.Schulz
277. Quezeliantha H.Scholz
278. Quidproquo Greuter & Burdet
279. Raffenaldia Godr.
280. Raphanorhyncha Rollins
281. × Rapistrosymbrium P.Fourn. ex Madiot
282. Rapistrum Crantz
283. Resetnikia Španiel, Al-Shehbaz, D.A.German & Marhold
284. Rhammatophyllum O.E.Schulz
285. Rhizobotrya Tausch
286. Ricotia L.
287. Robeschia Hochst. ex O.E.Schulz
288. Romanschulzia O.E.Schulz
289. Rorippa Scop.
290. Rudolf-kamelinia Al-Shehbaz & D.A.German
291. Rytidocarpus Coss.
292. Sandbergia Greene
293. Sarcodraba Gilg & Muschl.
294. Savignya DC.
295. Scambopus O.E.Schulz
296. Scapiarabis M.Koch, R.Karl, D.A.German & Al-Shehbaz
297. Schimpera Steud. & Hochst. ex Endl.
298. Schizopetalon Sims
299. Schouwia DC.
300. Schrenkiella D.A.German & Al-Shehbaz
301. Scoliaxon Payson
302. Selenia Nutt.
303. Shangrilaia Al-Shehbaz, J.P.Yue & H.Sun
304. Shehbazia D.A.German
305. Sibara Greene
306. Sinalliaria X.F.Jin, Y.Y.Zhou & H.W.Zhang
307. Sinapidendron Lowe
308. Sinoarabis R.Karl, D.A.German, M.Koch & Al-Shehbaz
309. Sisymbrella Spach
310. Sisymbriopsis Botsch. & Tzvelev
311. Sisymbrium L.
312. Smelowskia C.A.Mey.
313. Sobolewskia M.Bieb.
314. Solms-laubachia Muschl.
315. Sphaerocardamum S.Schauer
316. Spryginia Popov
317. Stanleya Nutt.
318. Stenodraba O.E.Schulz
319. Stenodrabopsis Al-Shehbaz, Salariato, A.Cano & Zuloaga
320. Stenopetalum R.Br. ex DC.
321. Sterigmostemum M.Bieb.
322. Stevenia Adams & Fisch.
323. Streptanthella Rydb.
324. Streptanthus Nutt.
325. Streptoloma Bunge
326. Strigosella Boiss.
327. Subularia L.
328. Succowia Medik.
329. Synstemon Botsch.
330. Synthlipsis A.Gray
331. Takhtajaniella V.E.Avet.
332. Teesdalia W.T.Aiton
333. Terraria T.J.Hildebr. & Al-Shehbaz
334. Tetracme Bunge
335. Thelypodiopsis Rydb.
336. Thelypodium Endl.
337. Thlaspi L.
338. Thysanocarpus Hook.
339. Tomostima Raf.
340. Trichotolinum O.E.Schulz
341. Tropidocarpum Hook.
342. Turritis Tourn. ex L.
343. Vella L.
344. Veselskya Opiz
345. Warea Nutt.
346. Weberbauera Gilg & Muschl.
347. Xerodraba Skottsb.
348. Yinshania Ma & Y.Z.Zhao
349. Yosemitea P.J.Alexander & Windham
350. Yunkia Salariato & Al-Shehbaz
351. Zahora Lemmel & M.Koch
352. Zilla Forssk.
353. Zuloagocardamum Salariato & Al-Shehbaz
354. Zuvanda (Dvořák) Askerova

The Brassicaceae Family: A Source of Wonder

The Brassicaceae family is a treasure trove of biodiversity, offering a wealth of opportunities for exploration and discovery. From the vibrant colors of their flowers to the pungent flavors of their leaves and seeds, these plants never cease to amaze me. As I continue to delve deeper into the world of Brassicaceae, I am constantly reminded of the intricate beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Whether you’re a seasoned botanist or a casual observer, the Brassicaceae family is sure to captivate your senses and ignite your curiosity. So next time you encounter a mustard plant, take a moment to appreciate its unique characteristics and the vital role it plays in the grand tapestry of life.