The family takes its name from the madder genus Rubia, which derives from the Latin

word ruber, meaning "red".[3] Rubia as a name for madder was coined by Pliny.[4] (The well-known genus Rubus (blackberries and raspberries) is unrelated and belongs to Rosaceae, the rose family.)

Distribution[edit]
Although Rubiaceae are found in nearly every major region of the world (with the exception of continental Antarctica, the high arctic, and portions of central Africa and Asia), diversity is highest in the humid tropics. The pattern of diversity in the family is very similar to the global distribution of plant diversity overall.[5] The greatest number of species occurs in Colombia, Venezuela and New Guinea. When adjusted for area, Venezuela is the most diverse, followed by Colombia and Cuba.[5] A large number of poorly studied species exist as understorey shrubs in Madagascar and are threatened with habitat destruction.[6]

Characteristics[edit]
Rubiaceae are an easily recognizable family characterized by opposite leaves that are simple and entire, with interpetiolar stipules, tubular sympetalous corollas and an inferior ovary. Exceptionally, there are some plants that have only a single leaf at each node, alternating from one side to the other. In these cases, the alternate leaf arrangement is produced through the suppression of one leaf at each node.[7] A wide variety of growth forms are present in the Rubiaceae. While shrubs are most common, members of the family can also be trees, lianas or herbs. The flowers, which are usually bisexual, have a 45 lobed calyx and generally a 45 lobed corolla, 4 or 5 stamens and two carpels.[7]