Editing Asphodeloideae (section)

== Description ==

The Asphodeloideae are distinguished by a general presence of [[natural anthraquinone|anthraquinones]], simultaneous [[microsporogenesis]], atypical [[ovule]]s [[morphology (biology)|morphology]], and the presence of an [[aril]].<ref name=Chase2000>{{cite journal|last1=Chase|first1=M.W.|first2=A. Y. |last2=De Bruijn |first3=A. V. |last3=Coz |first4=C. |last4=Reeves |first5=P.J. |last5=Rudall |first6=M. A. T. |last6=Johnson |first7=L. E. |last7=Eguiarte|title=Phylogenetics of Asphodelaceae (Asparagales): An analysis of plastid rbcL and trnL-F DNA sequences|journal=Annals of Botany|year=2000|volume=86|issue=5|pages=935–951|doi=10.1006/anbo.2000.1262|doi-access=free |bibcode=2000AnBot..86..935C }}</ref>  Asphodeloideae also have a characteristic [[secondary growth]] by means of a secondary thickening [[meristem]].<ref name=Chase2000/> This character, however, is also found in other taxa in the [[Asparagales]], including [[Agavaceae]], [[Iridaceae]], and [[Xanthorrhoeoideae]]. It is confined to [[Asparagales]] among the [[monocots]] and is believed to have evolved independently in most families.<ref name=Chase2000/>

=== Aloin cells ===

The presence of [[aloin]] cells is a distinctive character of the Aloeae. These cells are present in all Aloeae, but are absent in most of the other genera within Asphodeloideae.<ref name=Chase2000/> A well-developed cap of thin-walled [[parenchyma]] cells occurs at the [[phloem]] pole of each [[vascular bundle]].<ref name=Smith1991/> Chase posits that they are involved in [[secondary metabolite]] production,<ref name=Chase2000/> but Beaumont suggests that the cells act as a storage tissue for compounds synthesized in the surrounding layer of cells.<ref name=Beaumont>{{cite journal|last1=Beaumont|first1=J.|first2=D.F. |last2=Cutler |first3=T. |last3=Reynolds|title=Secretory tissues in the East African shrubby aloes|journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society|year=1986|volume=92|issue=4|pages=399–403|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.1986.tb01439.x}}</ref> The aloin cells are said to produce the characteristic thick exudate that is produced when the succulent leaf of aloe is severed.<ref name=Beaumont/> The aloin cells produce [[natural anthraquinone|anthraquinone]] and [[chromone]] derivatives,<ref name=Beaumont/> which may be responsible for the medicinal attributes of ''[[Aloe]]''.