Families of monocots

There are many monocot families that have typical monocot features. Some have flowers with showy petals. We have members of several of these families in our area. Examples of these families are shown below.

You will not be responsible for identifying the families above (except to recognize that they are monocots).

Three common families with less showy flowers (the grasses, sedges and rushes) are sometimes difficult to distinguish unless you know what to look for. They are often look grass-like. These families are the Poaceae (the grasses), the Cyperaceae (the sedges), and the Juncaceae (the rushes). You will be responsible for recognizing these.