Which of the following families includes plants with traits like fine hairs and milky sap?

Which of the following families includes plants with traits like fine hairs and milky sap?

• A. Amaranthaceae
• B. Asteraceae
• C. Asclepidaceae
• D. Brassicaceae

Answer: (C)

The family that includes plants with traits such as fine hairs and milky sap is indeed Asclepiadaceae, also known as the milkweed family. This family is recognized for its unique morphological features, including plants that often produce a milky latex sap, which serves as a defensive mechanism against herbivores and can also be a characteristic trait that aids in the identification of these plants. The presence of fine hairs is another trait observed in several species within this family, contributing to their overall physical appearance and ecological adaptations, such as deterring pests. In contrast, while the other families listed may have their own distinct features and ecological roles, they do not typically exhibit the same combination of traits found in Asclepiadaceae. For example, Amaranthaceae is known for its colorful flowering plants, Asteraceae for its composite flowers, and Brassicaceae for its cruciform flowers, but none share the specific traits of fine hairs and milky sap that are hallmark characteristics of the milkweed family.

The family that includes plants with traits such as fine hairs and milky sap is indeed Asclepiadaceae, also known as the milkweed family. This family is recognized for its unique morphological features, including plants that often produce a milky latex sap, which serves as a defensive mechanism against herbivores and can also be a characteristic trait that aids in the identification of these plants. The presence of fine hairs is another trait observed in several species within this family, contributing to their overall physical appearance and ecological adaptations, such as deterring pests.

In contrast, while the other families listed may have their own distinct features and ecological roles, they do not typically exhibit the same combination of traits found in Asclepiadaceae. For example, Amaranthaceae is known for its colorful flowering plants, Asteraceae for its composite flowers, and Brassicaceae for its cruciform flowers, but none share the specific traits of fine hairs and milky sap that are hallmark characteristics of the milkweed family.