A forb or phorb is an herbaceous flowering plant that is not a graminoid (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, or Juncaceae). The term is used in botany and in vegetation ecology especially in relation to
Etymology
The word "forb" is derived from Greek (φορβή), meaning "
pasture" or "
fodder".
The Hellenic spelling "phorb" is sometimes used, and in older usage this sometimes includes
and other plants currently not regarded as forbs.
Guilds
Forbs are members of a guilda group of plant species with broadly similar growth forms.
In certain contexts in ecology, guild membership may often be more important than the taxonomic relationships between organisms.
In informal classification
In addition to its use in ecology, the term "forb" may be used for subdividing popular guides to
,
distinguishing them from other categories such as grasses, sedges,
, and
.
Some examples of forbs are
,
,
daylily, and
Asclepias.
'''Forb Adaptation Zones:
Kale and turnip are examples of forb adaptations distributed over much of Europe, southern Oceania, northern Asia, and northern North America. In cooler climates, these crops are grown year-round, while in warmer climates, they are used as winter forage.
Examples
Linnaean taxonomy family names are given.
See also
External links
-
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service link to Codes and Definitions.
