Order Gentianales

Order Gentianales

Plants in Order Gentianales are found in a wide range of habitats. There are five families in this Order and some of the species contain toxic chemicals such as alkaloids to discourage animals from eating them. A milky latex is also found in stems and leaves of some species. The larva of the Monarch Butterfly is able to feed on Milkweeds as it concentrates the poisons in non-vital parts of its body and in the wings of the adult. Some birds have learned to avoid the poisonous bits and eat the insects anyway. Plants and animals continue to evolve as they develop strategies for survival. [CH] {EN}