Diversity:  Shrubs, trees and - especially in our flora - herbs in about 100 genera and 2,000 species.

Distribution:  Worldwide, but with greatest diversity in the Mediterranean basin. We have 17 genera and 82 species in the Texas flora, including 2 endemic species in the Brazos County flora.

Floral structure:

Significant features:  This family carries the distinctive gynoecium of the Lamiales.  The ovary shows a second septum, producing 4 locules and each of these has only a single seed.  The pericarp is formed around each seed and, as a result, the gynoecium shows a 4-lobed aspect with a depression at the center.  The syle is therefore not attached to the top of the ovary, but rather in this central area.  This unusual feature, knows as a gynobasic style, is also present in the Lamiaceae.  However, in contrast to the other two families of the Lamiales, the Boraginaceae shows three distingishing features:  actinomorphic corolla, alternate leaves and a terete stem. Also, as depicted below, many species of this family produce an inflorescence that uncurls as it develops - the helicoid or scorpiod cyme. It is also common for flowers of the Boraginaceae to show a series of 'bumps' - termed appendages - at the throat of the corolla and a rough, bristly pubescence.
 
 

Symphytum officinale - common comfrey - overview from  Otto Wilhelm Thomé's - Flora von Deutschland Österreich und der Schweiz (1885 - 1905) and photo of inflorescences (right)

plant	helicoid cyme	helicoid cyme - close

helicoid cymes uncurled	flowers with bumpy 'appendages' at the throat of the corolla	four parted fruit with each 'nutlet' carrying a single seed

More information on the Boraginaceae