Malvales

Alcea setosa

2006 08 10 Hollyhock

Malvales is an order of flowering plants. As classified by the APG IV system (2016), it is one of the orders within the clade eudicots, under the class Magnoliopsida. Malvales encompasses a diverse group of plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, known for their economic and ecological importance. The order is particularly noted for its members' ability to thrive in a variety of habitats, ranging from tropical rainforests to temperate zones.

Characteristics

Plants within the Malvales order share several morphological characteristics, although there is considerable diversity among the species. Common features include:

• Leaves: Generally simple, with alternate or occasionally opposite arrangement. Many species have stipules, small leaf-like appendages at the base of the leaf stalk.
• Flowers: The flowers are often showy and can be solitary or arranged in clusters. They typically have five petals, which may be fused at the base.
• Fruits: The fruit type varies significantly across the order, including capsules, nuts, and berries.

Taxonomy and Classification

The Malvales order is part of the Dicotyledons, a group characterized by seeds with two embryonic leaves or cotyledons. Within the APG IV system, Malvales is closely related to orders such as Sapindales and Brassicales.

Families

The order includes several families, with the Malvaceae (mallow family) being the most prominent. Other notable families within Malvales include:

• Cistaceae (rockrose family)
• Dipterocarpaceae (dipterocarp family)
• Thymelaeaceae (thyme family)
• Bombacaceae (baobab family) - often included within Malvaceae in recent classifications.

Ecological and Economic Importance

Members of the Malvales order play significant roles in their ecosystems and have various uses in human society. For example:

• Cotton (from the genus Gossypium within the Malvaceae family) is a crucial agricultural product used worldwide in the textile industry.
• Many species within the Dipterocarpaceae family are valuable timber trees, harvested for their wood.
• Plants in the Thymelaeaceae family are used in traditional medicine and for ornamental purposes.

Conservation

Habitat destruction and overexploitation have placed some Malvales species at risk of extinction. Conservation efforts are essential to protect these species and their habitats, ensuring the sustainability of the ecological and economic benefits they provide.