Boryaceae

Taxonomy

Family name: Boryaceae M.W. Chase, Rudall & Conran

Synonym(s): [none]

Common name(s): borya family

*Number of genera/species: 2/12

List of genera records in GRIN-Global

Disseminule

seed

Description

Fruit a loculicidalloculicidal:
type of capsular dehiscence, opening longitudinally through the locules (compare septicidal)
capsulecapsule:
a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary
, 2.5–4.5 mm long, ovoidovoid:
3D shape—ovate
or fusiformfusiform:
spindle-shaped; broadest at the middle and tapering at both ends
, with few seeds, enclosed by persistent perianthperianth:
collective term for calyx and corolla of a flower
. Pericarppericarp:
fruit wall or fruit coat
straw colored, smooth, sometimes with midline groove.

Seeds ellipsoidellipsoid:
3D shape—elliptic
to ovoidovoid:
3D shape—ovate
, tereteterete:
approximately circular in cross section; width and thickness approximately equal
or slightly compressedcompressed:
flattened; in grasses, used to denote compression (not necessarily flattened) either laterally or dorsiventrally
, 0.8–1.2 mm long. Seed coat black, dulldull:
reflecting only a low proportion of incident light, with no apparent sheen
, phytomelanphytomelan:
carbonaceous, opaque material that usually covers the seed coat to give it a black appearance, common in certain monocot families
encrusted, smooth or variously ornamented.

Embryo very small, ovoidovoid:
3D shape—ovate
, straight or curvedcurved:
(of embryo) linear embryo is curved into an arch or horseshoe with the ends far apart
.

Endosperm copious without starch.

Identification features

Fruit
Type	loculicidalloculicidal: type of capsular dehiscence, opening longitudinally through the locules (compare septicidal) capsulecapsule: a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary
Size range	2.5–4.5 mm long
Shape(s)	ovoidovoid: 3D shape—ovate , fusiformfusiform: spindle-shaped; broadest at the middle and tapering at both ends
Surface relief	smooth, sometimes with midline groove
Color(s)	straw-colored
Unique features	Straw-colored ovoidovoid: 3D shape—ovate or fusiformfusiform: spindle-shaped; broadest at the middle and tapering at both ends capsulescapsule: a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary with a few minute, black, phytomelan-encrusted seeds.
Seed
Size range	0.8–1.2 mm long
Shape(s)	ellipsoidellipsoid: 3D shape—elliptic , ovoidovoid: 3D shape—ovate
Surface relief	smooth, papillatepapillate: surface relief—bearing minute, distinct, broad-based projections, tapering to a rounded apex , striatestriate: surface relief—having fine, parallel lines, grooves or ridges , wartywarty: surface relief—distinct, rounded projections that are large relative to the fruit size; tuberculate, verrucose , alveolatealveolate: surface relief—reticulated, honeycombed; ridges that intersect to form polygonal cells with a regular size and shape similar to a honeycomb , colliculatecolliculate: surface relief—covered with small, round projections, similar to blistered , sculptured
Color(s)	black
Unique features	Minute, dulldull: reflecting only a low proportion of incident light, with no apparent sheen , black seeds with phytomelanphytomelan: carbonaceous, opaque material that usually covers the seed coat to give it a black appearance, common in certain monocot families and very small embryos.
Other
Embryo	ovoidovoid: 3D shape—ovate , straight or curvedcurved: (of embryo) linear embryo is curved into an arch or horseshoe with the ends far apart
Nutritive tissue	endosperm copious without starch

 

Distribution

Australia.

Distribution map courtesy of Angiosperm Phylogeny Website.

References

Baskin and Baskin 2021Baskin and Baskin 2021:
Baskin C and Baskin J. 2021. Relationship of the lateral embryo (in grasses) to other monocot embryos: A status up-grade. Seed Science Research 31 (3): 199-210. doi:10.1017/S0960258521000209; Barrett 2018Barrett 2018:
Barrett MD. 2018. Three new species of Asparagales from the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Telopea: Journal of Plant Systematics 21: 25-37.; Dahlgren et al. 1985Dahlgren et al. 1985:
Dahlgren RMT, Clifford HT, and Yeo PF. 1985. The families of the monocotyledons: structure, evolution, and taxonomy. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. 520 pp.; Flora of Australia 2021+Flora of Australia 2021+:
Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra. Accessed January 2021–March 2024. URL: http://www.ausflora.org.au; Kirkbride et al. 2006Kirkbride et al. 2006:
Kirkbride JH, Jr, Gunn CR, and Dallwitz MJ. 2006. Family guide for fruits and seeds, vers. 1.0. Accessed September 2020-January 2022. URL: https://nt.ars-grin.gov/seedsfruits/keys/frsdfam/index.cfm .; Kubitzki et al. 1990+Kubitzki et al. 1990+:
Kubitzki K et al., eds. 1990+. The families and genera of vascular plants. 7+ vols. Berlin etc.; PlantNET 2021+PlantNET 2021+:
PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). 2021+. Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Accessed January 2021–March 2024. URL: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au; Western Australian Herbarium 1998+Western Australian Herbarium 1998+:
Western Australian Herbarium. 1998+. Florabase—the Western Australian Flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Accessed January 2021–April 2024. URL:  https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/

*The number of genera and species is based on Christenhusz and Byng 2016Christenhusz and Byng 2016:
Christenhusz MJM and Byng JW. 2016. The number of known plant species in the world and its annual increase. Phytotaxa 261 (3): 201-217. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1, which may differ from the number of genera in GRIN-Global.