Sapindales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sapindales |
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Sapindales is a special group of flowering plants. Think of it like a big family tree for plants! Many plants you know and love belong to this group. It includes tasty fruits, beautiful trees, and even plants used for perfumes.
Some famous members of the Sapindales family are citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. It also includes maple trees, which give us maple syrup. Other cool plants in this group are horse-chestnut trees, sweet lychees and rambutans, and delicious mangos and cashews. Even plants that give us frankincense and myrrh (used in perfumes and medicines) are part of Sapindales. And don't forget mahogany, a very strong wood used for furniture!
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Discovering the Sapindales Order
The word "Sapindales" is a scientific name for an "order" of plants. In botany, an order is a way to group plants that are related to each other. They share similar features and come from a common ancestor. This helps scientists understand how different plants are connected.
Families in Sapindales
The Sapindales order is made up of several plant families. Each family contains many different types of plants. Here are some of the main families:
- Anacardiaceae: This family includes mangoes, cashews, and pistachios. It also has poison ivy, so be careful!
- Burseraceae: This family is known for trees that produce fragrant resins. Frankincense and myrrh come from trees in this group.
- Meliaceae: This is the mahogany family. Trees from this group are valued for their strong, beautiful wood.
- Rutaceae: This family is famous for citrus fruits. Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits all belong here.
- Sapindaceae: This family includes maples, horse-chestnuts, lychees, and rambutans. It's a very diverse group!
Where Sapindales Plants Grow
Plants from the Sapindales order grow all over the world. You can find them in many different climates. For example, maple trees grow in cooler regions, while mangoes and lychees prefer warmer, tropical areas. Citrus fruits are grown in many sunny parts of the world. This shows how adaptable and widespread this plant group is.
Why Sapindales are Important
These plants are super important to us in many ways:
- Food: Many Sapindales plants give us delicious fruits and nuts. Think of oranges, mangoes, cashews, and lychees!
- Wood: Trees like mahogany provide valuable timber. This wood is used to make furniture, boats, and musical instruments.
- Medicines and Scents: Some plants, like those producing frankincense and myrrh, have been used for thousands of years. They are used in traditional medicines and for their pleasant smells.
- Beauty: Maple trees are famous for their stunning fall colors. They add beauty to landscapes around the world.
Images for kids
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Phylogeny of the Sapindales based on the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group IV system (2016)
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Trichostetha bicolor beetles feeding on flowers of Agathosma capensis (Rutaceae)
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Chloroxylon swietenia W IMG 1326.jpg
Chloroxylon swietenia from Rutaceae
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See also
Want to learn more? Check out the Spanish version for kids: Sapindales para niños
