Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllidaceae J.St.-Hil. comprises approximately 75–80 genera and over 1,600 species, distributed mainly in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Modern molecular phylogenetic studies have considerably broadened the family concept by incorporating the former family Alliaceae as the subfamily Allioideae and Agapanthaceae as Agapanthoideae, resulting in a monophyletic family with three well-defined subfamilies: Amaryllidoideae, Allioideae, and Agapanthoideae.
Key characteristics
- Amaryllidaceae consists predominantly of perennial bulbous herbs, rarely rhizomatous plants
- The bulbs are usually tunicate and serve as underground storage organs
- Leaves are simple, basal, linear to strap-shaped, fleshy or membranous
- Flowering stems (scapes) are typically leafless and terminate in an umbel-like inflorescence
- Flowers are generally bisexual, actinomorphic or slightly zygomorphic, showy
- Stamens are usually six and attached to the tepals, while the ovary is characteristically inferior
Distribution
Amaryllidaceae is widely distributed throughout tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of the world, with major centres of diversity in southern Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, South America, and Central Asia. Members occupy a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, rocky slopes, Mediterranean shrublands, deserts, and alpine meadows. Numerous species are cultivated globally and have become naturalized outside their native ranges. In Pakistan, Amaryllidaceae is represented by both native and cultivated genera, including Allium, Narcissus, and Crinum. Species inhabit cultivated fields, mountain meadows, rocky slopes, river valleys, deserts, and coastal areas. Wild species of Allium are particularly diverse in the northern mountainous regions, while cultivated onions and garlic are grown extensively throughout the country.