ALL  THE  PRIMARY  PLANTS  USED  AS  BONSAI
AND  IN  THE  RELATED  ARTS  --  INDEX


compiled by Robert J. Baran


This Page Last Updated: October 29, 2023




To show patterns of "ease" with known/experienced plants, to find suggested "ease" with unknown/new plants,
to uncover previously unsuspected patterns.

This listing includes more specimens than are delineated in the strict Japanese sense of the word "bonsai."
Enthusiasts around the world are incorporating more and often uniquely local types of plants in their magical miniature landscape compositions,
and thus these pages are compiled with this larger reference in mind.

We are using here the APG II System, with some blending of a modified Cronquist System.


 

Index by Family
Notes

Anthophyta
Cycadophyta
Pinophyta
Pteridophyta
Magnoliophyta - Asteridae
Magnoliophyta - Caryophyllidae
Magnoliophyta - Dilleniidae
Magnoliophyta - Hamamelididae
Magnoliophyta - Magnoliidae
Magnoliophyta - Ranunculidae
Magnoliophyta - Rosidae I
Magnoliophyta - Rosidae II



INDEX BY FAMILY -- 151 TO CHOOSE FROM


Find the botanical family below which you are interested in and then click on that underlined family
or its underlined order or class or subclass to get you to the page which contains specimens in that family.


We have not linked directly to every family, so you may then have to search further down that page for the genus or species you are looking for.

(Families) in parentheses are not the official/most current names: go to the underlined link to find the current name for this system we are using.

Right now, in the 151 families below there are 622 genera and 1,783 species usable for the main plant in a bonsai type of composition.
(Known hybrids are NOT included.)


Acanthaceae, the acanthus family   [3 genera; 3 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Aceraceae, the maple family   [1 genus; 30 species]         Sapindales order         Rosidae subclass
Acoraceae, the sweet flag family   [1 genus; 2 species]         Acorales order         Arecidae subclass
Actinidiaceae, the Chinese gooseberry family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Adoxaceae, the elderberry or moschatel family   [2 genera; 8 species]         Dipsacales order         Rosidae subclass
Aizoaceae, the fig-marigold or ice plant family   [2 genera; 4 species]         Caryophyllales order         Caryophyllidae subclass
Altingiaceae, the liquidambar family   [1 genus; 2 species]         Saxifragales order         Rosidae subclass
Amaranthaceae, the amaranth family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Caryophyllales order         Caryophyllidae subclass
Anacardiaceae, the cashew or sumac family   [14 genera; 36 species]         Sapindales order         Rosidae subclass
Annonaceae, the custard apple family   [2 genera; 6 species]         Magnoliales order         Magnoliidae subclass
Apocynaceae, the dogbane family   [15 genera; 27 species]         Gentianales order         Asteridae subclass
Aquifoliaceae, the holly family   [2 genera; 14 species]         Aquifoliales order         Rosidae subclass
Araceae, the arum family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Alismatales order         Alismatidae subclass
Araliaceae, the aralia or ivy family   [6 genera; 19 species]         Apiales order         Rosidae subclass
Araucariaceae, the araucaria family   [3 genera; 7 species]         Pinales order         Pinopsida class
Arecaceae, the palm family   [9 genera; 13 species]         Arecales order         Arecidae subclass
Argophyllaceae, the argophyllum family   [1 genus; 2 species]         Asterales order         Asteridae subclass
Asparagaceae, the asparagus family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Asparagales order         Arecidae subclass
Aspleniaceae, the spleenwort family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Polypodiales order         Pteridophyta class
Asteraceae, the aster, daisy, or sunflower family   [9 genera; 14 species]         Asterales order         Asteridae subclass
Atherospermataceae, the southern sassafrases family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Laurales order         Magnoliidae subclass
Balsaminaceae, the balsam family   [1 genus; 2 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Berberidaceae, the barberry family   [3 genera; 15 species]         Ranunculales order         Ranunculidae subclass
Betulaceae, the birch family   [5 genera; 35 species]         Fagales order         Hamamelididae subclass
Bignoniaceae, the bignonia family   [12 genera; 18 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Boraginaceae, the borage or forget-me-not family   [3 genera; 6 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Bromeliaceae, the bromeliad family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Poales order         Arecidae subclass
Burseraceae, the bursera family   [3 genera; 11 species]         Sapindales order         Rosidae subclass
Buxaceae, the box family   [1 genus; 6 species]         Euphorbiales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Cactaceae, the catus family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Caryophyllales order         Caryophyllidae subclass
Calophyllaceae, the calophyllum family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Calycanthaceae, the sweetshrub or spicebush family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Laurales order         Magnoliidae subclass
Campanulaceae, the bellflower family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Asterales order         Asteridae subclass
Cannabaceae, the hemp family   [2 genera; 9 species]         Rosales order         Rosidae subclass
Caprifoliaceae, the honeysuckle family   [6 genera; 17 species]         Dipsacales order         Rosidae subclass
Caricaceae, the papaya family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Brassicales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Caryophyllaceae, the pink or carnation family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Caryophyllales order         Caryophyllidae subclass
Casuarinaceae, the she-oak family   [3 genera; 11 species]         Fagales order         Hamamelididae subclass
Celastraceae, the staff vine or bittersweet family   [3 genera; 14 species]         Celastrales order         Rosidae subclass
Cephalotaxaceae, the plum yew family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Pinales order         Pinopsida class
Cercidiphyllaceae, the katsura family   [1 genus; 2 species]         Saxifragales order         Rosidae subclass
Clethraceae, the clethra family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Clusiaceae, the butter tree family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Combretaceae, the white mangrove or Indian almond family   [6 genera; 9 species]         Myrtales order         Rosidae subclass
(Compositae), the aster, daisy, or sunflower family   [8 genera; 13 species]         Asterales order         Asteridae subclass
Cornaceae, the dogwood family   [1 genus; 9 species]         Cornales order         Rosidae subclass
Crassulaceae, the orpine family   [5 genera; 14 species]         Saxifragales order         Rosidae subclass
Cunoniaceae, the cunonia family   [3 genera; 3 species]         Oxalidales order         Rosidae subclass
Cupressaceae, the cypress family   [17 genera; 45 species]         Pinales order         Pinopsida class
Cycadaceae, the cycad family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Cycadales order         Cycadophyta class
Cyrillaceae, the cyrilla family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Davalliaceae, the hanging fern family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Polypodiales order         Pteridophyta class
Dicksoniaceae, the tree fern family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Cyatheales order         Pteridophyta class
Didiereaceae, the Alluaudia family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Caryophyllales order    Caryophyllidae subclass
Ebenaceae, the ebony family   [2 genera; 16 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Elaeagnaceae, the oleaster or Russian olive family   [2 genera; 7 species]     Rosales order         Rosidae subclass
Elaeocarpaceae, the elaeocarp family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Oxalidales order         Rosidae subclass
Ericaceae, the heath or heather family   [13 genera; 38 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Erythroxylaceae, the coca family   [1 genus; 3 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Escalloniaceae, the Escallonia family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Escalloniales order         Asteridae subclass
Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family   [13 genera; 22 species]         Euphorbiales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Fabaceae, the legume, pea, or bean family   [63 genera; 190 species]         Fabales order         Rosidae subclass
Fagaceae, the beech family   [3 genera; 35 species]         Fagales order         Hamamelididae subclass
Geraniaceae, the geranium family   [3 genera; 12 species]         Geraniales order         Rosidae subclass
Ginkgoceae, the ginkgo family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Ginkgoales order         Pinopsida class
Grossulariaceae, the gooseberry family   [1 genus; 5 species]         Saxifragales order         Rosidae subclass
(Guttiferae, the butter tree family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Hamamelidaceae, the witch hazel family   [6 genera; 8 species]         Saxifragales order         Rosidae subclass
Hydrangeaceae, the hydrangea family   [6 genera; 11 species]         Cornales order         Rosidae subclass
Hypericaceae, the St. Johnswort family   [1 genus; 2 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Icacinaceae, the white pear family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Celastrales order         Rosidae subclass
Irvingiaceae, the wild mango family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Juglandaceae, the walnut family   [3 genera; 4 species]         Fagales order         Hamamelididae subclass
Lamiaceae, the mint family   [24 genera; 50 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Lardizabalaceae, the lardizabala family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Ranunculales order         Ranunculidae subclass
Lauraceae, the laurel family   [4 genera; 4 species]         Laurales order         Magnoliidae subclass
Lecythidaceae, the Brazil nut family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
(Leguminosae), the legume, pea, or bean family   [62 genera; 188 species]         Fabales order         Rosidae subclass
Lythraceae, the loosestrife family   [6 genera; 8 species]         Myrtales order         Rosidae subclass
Magnoliaceae, the magnolia family   [2 genera; 9 species]         Magnoliales order         Magnoliidae subclass
Malpighiaceae, the malpighia family   [3 genera; 5 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Malvaceae, the mallow family   [15 genera; 35 species]         Malvales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Melastomataceae, the melastome family   [1 genus; 2 species]         Myrtales order         Rosidae subclass
Meliaceae, the mahogany family   [5 genera; 5 species]         Sapindales order         Rosidae subclass
Menispermaceae, the moonseed family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Ranunculales order         Ranunculidae subclass
(Mimosaceae), the legume, pea, or bean family   [62 genera; 188 species]         Fabales order         Rosidae subclass
Moraceae, the mulberry or fig family   [7 genera; 67 species]         Rosales order         Rosidae subclass
Moringaceae, the moringa family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Brassicales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Musaceae, the banana family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Zingiberales order         Arecidae subclass
Myricaceae, the wax myrtle family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Fagales order         Hamamelididae subclass
Myristicaceae, the nutmeg family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Magnoliales order         Magnoliidae subclass
(Myrsinaceae), the myrsine or primrose family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Myrtaceae, the myrtle family   [26 genera; 158 species]         Myrtales order         Rosidae subclass
Nothofagaceae, the southern beech family   [1 genus; 6 species]         Fagales order         Hamamelididae subclass
Nyctaginaceae, the four o'clock family   [2 genera; 4 species]         Caryophyllales order         Caryophyllidae subclass
Nyssaceae, the sour-gum or tupelo family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Cornales order         Rosidae subclass
Ochnaceae, the wild plane family   [1 genus; 3 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Oleaceae, the olive family   [10 genera; 40 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Onagraceae, the willowherb or evening primrose family   [1 genus; 4 species]         Myrtales order         Rosidae subclass
Ophioglossaceae, the adder's-tongue family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Ophioglossales order         Psilotopsida class
Oxalidaceae, the wood sorrel family   [2 genera; 4 species]             Oxalidales order         Rosidae subclass
Papaveraceae, the poppy family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Ranunculales order         Ranunculidae subclass
Passifloraceae, the passion flower family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Paulowniaceae, the paulownia family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Pedaliaceae, the pedalium or sesame family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Pentaphylacaceae, the pentaphylax family   [2 genera; 3 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Phyllanthaceae, the gooseberry tree family   [5 genera; 11 species]         Malpighiales order        Rosidae subclass
Phyllocladaceae, the phyllocladus family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Pinales order         Pinopsida class
Phytolaccaceae, the pokeweed family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Caryophyllales order         Caryophyllidae subclass
Pinaceae, the pine family   [8 genera; 86 species]         Pinales order         Pinopsida class
Pittosporaceae, the pittosporum family   [1 genus; 3 species]         Apiales order         Rosidae subclass
Plantaginaceae, the plantain family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Platanaceae, the plane-tree family   [1 genus; 3 species]         Proteales order         Rosidae subclass
Plumbaginaceae, the leadwort or plumbago family   [2 genera; 2 species]         Caryophyllales order         Caryophyllidae subclass
Poaceae, the true grass family   [13 genera; 23 species]         Poales order        Arecidae subclass
Podocarpaceae, the podocarp family   [5 genera; 18 species]         Pinales order        Pinopsida class
Polygonaceae, the knotweed or smartweed-buckwheat family   [3 genera; 3 species]         Caryophyllales order        Caryophyllidae subclass
(Portulacaceae), the purslane family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Caryophyllales order        Caryophyllidae subclass
Primulaceae, the primrose family   [4 genera; 6 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Proteaceae, the protea family   [8 genera; 34 species]         Proteales order         Rosidae subclass
Putranjivaceae, the drypetes family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Ranunculaceae, the buttercup or crowfoot family   [4 genera; 4 species]         Ranunculales order         Ranunculidae subclass
Rhamnaceae, the buckthorn family   [7 genera; 10 species]         Rosales order        Rosidae subclass
Rhizophoraceae, the mangrove family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Malpighiales order        Rosidae subclass
Rosaceae, the rose family   [27 genera; 139 species]         Rosales order        Rosidae subclass
Rubiaceae, the coffee, madder, or bedstraw family   [16 genera; 25 species]         Gentianales order         Asteridae subclass
Rutaceae, the citrus family   [16 genera; 30 species]         Sapindales order         Rosidae subclass
Sabiaceae, the sabia family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Sabiales order         Rosidae subclass
Salicaceae, the willow family   [8 genera; 23 species]         Malpighiales order         Rosidae subclass
Salvadoraceae, the salvadora family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Brassicales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Sapindaceae, the soapberry family   [7 genera; 13 species]         Sapindales order         Rosidae subclass
Sapotaceae, the sapodilla family   [6 genera; 10 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Saxifragaceae, the saxifrage family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Saxifragales order         Rosidae subclass
Schisandraceae, the star-vine family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Austrobaileyales order         Magnoliidae subclass
Sciadopityaceae, the Japanese umbrella pine family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Pinales order         Pinopsida class
Scrophulariaceae, the figwort family   [4 genera; 8 species]         Lamiales order        Asteridae subclass
Selaginellaceae, the spikemosses or lesser clubmosses family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Selaginellales order         Isoetopsida class
Simaroubaceae, the quassia family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Sapindales order         Rosidae subclass
Solanaceae, the nightshade or potato family   [5 genera; 14 species]         Solanales order         Asteridae subclass
Stachyuraceae, the stachyrus family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Crossosomatales order         Rosidae subclass
Staphyleaceae, the bladdernut family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Crossosomatales order         Rosidae subclass
Sterculiaceae, the sterculia family   [1 genus; 4 species]         Malvales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Stilbaceae, the candlestick family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Styracaceae, the silver bells family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Surianaceae, the bay cedar family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Fabales order         Rosidae subclass
Tamaricaceae, the tamarisk family   [1 genus; 3 species]         Violales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Taxaceae, the yew family   [1 genus; 3 species]         Pinales order         Pinopsida class
Taxodiaceae, the bald cypress family   [1 genus; 3 species]         Pinales order         Pinopsida class
Theaceae, the tea family   [2 genera; 12 species]         Ericales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Thymelaeaceae, the mezereum family   [3 genera; 5 species]         Malvales order        Dilleniidae subclass
Ulmaceae, the elm family   [3 genera; 13 species]         Rosales order         Rosidae subclass
Urticaceae, the nettle family   [1 genus; 1 species]         Rosales order         Rosidae subclass
Verbenaceae, the verbena or vervain family   [5 genera; 9 species]         Lamiales order         Asteridae subclass
Vitaceae, the grape family   [6 genera; 16 species]         Euphorbiales order         Dilleniidae subclass
Xanthorrhoeaceae, the grass tree family   [1 genus; 3 species]         Asparagales order         Arecidae subclass
Zamiaceae, the coontie family   [1 genus; 2 species]         Cycadales order         Cycadophyta class
Zygophyllaceae, the bean-caper and caltrop family   [3 genera; 3 species]         Zygophyllales order         Rosidae subclass

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Index by Family
Notes

Anthophyta
Cycadophyta
Pinophyta
Pteridophyta
Magnoliophyta - Asteridae
Magnoliophyta - Caryophyllidae
Magnoliophyta - Dilleniidae
Magnoliophyta - Hamamelididae
Magnoliophyta - Magnoliidae
Magnoliophyta - Ranunculidae
Magnoliophyta - Rosidae I
Magnoliophyta - Rosidae II




Anyone who knows of additional species used as bonsai or updates/corrections to this listing
is asked to please contact  rjb@magiminiland.org.  Thank-you.



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