67. Scrophulariaceae

With a name like Scrophulariaceae and a total of over 5000 species, one might imagine that one is in for a wild ride, botanically speaking. In fact it's a somewhat mild ride. At one time the family was much larger and encompassed such notable flowers as Antirrhinum (snapdragons), Digitalis (foxglove), Penstemon, Pawlonia, Veronica, and Hebe -- to name a few. The vast majority of these got sent to the Plantaginaceae family due to the phylogenetic studies of the APG.

Among what remains is Verbascum (mullein), Buddleja (butterfly bush), and Myoporum. I mention these in part because I am familiar with them. Mulleins are very distinctive with large velvety leaves and stalks bolting high out of the ground. I remember my mother bringing them to my attention on Shelter Island, where they flourished as weeds around the marina. Like many weeds, Verbascum is reputed to have medicinal value.

The other two were brought to my attention while working in California. Buddleja (above) is commonly known as butterfly bush, due to its relationship with various pollinators. This photo was actually taken in Louisiana, where it also flourishes. Buddleja grows throughout the world, with many species native to the Americas. In contrast, Myoporum is more a creature of the south Pacific. Despite that fact, the shrubs are widely used in California for landscaping. Below, an example of the beautiful flowers I used to ponder till I finally learned what they were.

66. Sapotaceae

Most mornings, after showering, I slap shea butter on my face. It seems to agree with me. Shea butter comes from the nuts of the shea or shi tree, Vitellaria paradoxa, which is native to a huge cross section of Africa -- roughly from Senegal to Ethiopia, and south into Congo. In addition to benefiting the skin, shea is a food staple in much of Africa.

This pan-tropical family of some 800 species includes other edible fruits, many of which are better known in Latin America. The names sapote, zapote, sapota and sapodilla are all interrelated, and if that isn't confusing enough, the tree known as "white sapote" (Casimiroa edulis) -- the only one I have first-hand experience of -- belongs to the Rutaceae or citrus family. As far as the Sapotaceae family is concerned, the commercially import genii are Manilkara, Pouteria, Chrysophyllum and Vitellaria. Some species are good sources of latex, rubber and chicle (a basic ingredient of chewing gum).

65. Sapindaceae

Sapindaceae is an interesting family that encompasses the familiar and the exotic, the temperate and the tropical. What could be more familiar than a maple tree? And what could be more exotic than a rambutan? One frequent characteristic is the presence of sticky sap, earning it the common name "soapberry family".

My childhood was filled with Norway maples (Acer platanoides) and Japanese maples (Acer palmatum). The native sugar maple (Acer saccharum) -- source of maple syrup -- was everywhere as well. Horse-chestnuts or buckeyes (Aesculus) were also around but didn't make an impression on me until I moved to California, where the California buckeye (Aesculus californica) puts on quite a display.

In California the Sapindaceae family presented me with other oddities, trees that were interesting to behold but served no other purpose beyond landscaping. These would include the carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) from Australia and the goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) from China.

At the exotic end of the spectrum this family is known for such strange fruits as the lychee (Litchi chinensis), longan (Dimocarpus longan), ackee (Blighia sapida), and rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum).

With this kind of diversity, encompassing nearly 2000 species, there should be a Sapindaceae plant for everyone.

64. Salicaceae

The Salicaceae family has brought us cottonwoods, aspens, poplars, willows and aspirin -- among other things. 

Seen above is the Fremont cottonwood, Populus fremontii,  standing in front of Zion Lodge at Zion National Park in Utah. These trees are found in riparian areas all over the west. The name comes from the abundant airborne "cotton" released by the tree as seed.

Above, from the same road trip, an aspen forest (Populus tremuloides or quaking aspen). Unfortunately due to the altitude and time of year, the famously trembing leaves were gone, but the silvery trunks were still nice to see.

Now that I think about it, all the trees in the Populus genus that I have encountered are beautiful. Lombardy poplars (Populus nigra) from the Mediterranean are often planted in rows as windbreaks. They have a stately presence that brings to mind Italian countryside -- along with leaves that shimmer like aspens. These trees are found throughout California.

On the east coast my first Salicaceae encounter was probably a weeping willow (Salix babylonica). Actually these trees originate from China, but they have been cultivated in Europe and America for centuries. One of the largest and most impressive trees on my Dad's property growing up was a weeping willow.

The Salix genus is famous for having provided the human race with aspirin. Contained within the bark is a substance called salicin, which our bodies convert to salicylic acid, a pain reliever. Chemists have long since been able to produce a synthetic version of this pain reliever, commonly known as aspirin. I for one like to focus on the willow tree connection, the very thought of which helps me soothe aches and pains.