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Glite Dictionary
Monotropaceae

Monotropaceae

9.9
A family of non-green plants that get food from fungi like mushrooms
  • noun
  • /ˌmɒnəˈtroʊpəˌsiː/
  • Specialized
: Monotropaceae
  • The Monotropaceae family includes fascinating plants like Monotropa uniflora.

Examples

  • The Monotropaceae are known for their lack of chlorophyll and their dependency on fungi.

  • Botanists sometimes include Monotropaceae within the family Pyrolaceae based on molecular studies.

  • Ghost plants and snow plants are members of the Monotropaceae family.

  • Have you ever seen a Monotropaceae in the wild?

  • Ghost plants and snow plants are members of the Monotropaceae family.

  • The Monotropaceae are known for their lack of chlorophyll and their dependency on fungi.

  • Have you ever seen a Monotropaceae in the wild?

Surface Forms

Monotropaceae singular
Monotropaceae plural

Morphology

Monotropaceae = Monotropa (semi-transparent) = Monotropa + aceae

Formed by the genus name 'Monotropa' plus the botanical family suffix '-aceae'; the relationship is regular in taxonomy but requires specialized knowledge to interpret.

Etymology

Monotropaceae comes from the plant genus Monotropa, which begins with Greek mono- meaning 'one'. A helpful way to remember this family is that many of its plants have a single, lone flower and are not green but get food through fungi, so the name points to their 'one' or solitary, ghostly appearance.