Boraginaceae Juss. 1789, the Borage or Forget-me-not family, includes a variety of shrubs, trees, and herbs, totaling about 2,000 species in 100 genera found worldwide. A number of familiar plants belong to this family.
The Boraginaceae belong, according to the APG II, among the euasterid I group including the orders Gentianales, Lamiales, and Solanales, but whether they should be assigned to one of these orders or to their own (Boraginales) is still uncertain. Under the older Cronquist system they were included in the Lamiales, but it is now clear that they are no more similar to the other families in this order than they are to families in several other asterid orders. The Boraginaceae are paraphyletic with respect to Hydrophyllaceae and the latter is included in the former in APG II system. In some recent classifications the Boraginaceae are broken up into several families: Boraginaceae s.s., Cordiaceae, Ehretiaceae, Heliotropiaceae, Hydrophyllaceae, and Lennoaceae.
Most though not all members of this family have hairy leaves.
Iowa State University researcher shows proteins have controlled motions Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400 (Iowa State University) Iowa State University researcher Robert Jernigan believes that his research shows proteins have controlled motions. Most biochemists traditionally believe proteins have many random, uncontrolled movements. Southern Sierra Science Symposium planned for Visalia Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400 (US Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station) Four land management agencies are proud to announce the First Southern Sierra Science Symposium, Sept. 4-5, in Visalia, California at the Visalia Convention Center, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The theme for the symposium is "Agents of Change Affecting the Southern Sierra Ecosystems." This event will bring together premier scientists for what will be an outstanding educational and networking opportunity. Jamaican lizards' shows of strength mark territory at dawn, dusk Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400 (Harvard University) What does Jack LaLanne have in common with a Jamaican lizard?Like the ageless fitness guru, the lizards greet each new day with vigorous push-ups. That's according to a new study showing that male Anolis lizards engage in impressive displays of reptilian strength -- push-ups, head bobs, and threatening extension of a colorful neck flap called a dewlap -- to defend their territory at dawn and dusk.