Oxalidales

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Ceratopetalum_apetalum

Oxalidales is an order of flowering plants belonging to the eudicots, one of the major groups within the angiosperms. This order is part of the rosid clade, which is a large group of related plant families.

Families

The order Oxalidales includes the following families:

• Oxalidaceae - The wood sorrel family, which includes the genus Oxalis.
• Connaraceae - A family of tropical plants, often lianas or small trees.
• Elaeocarpaceae - A family that includes both trees and shrubs, such as the genus Elaeocarpus.
• Cephalotaceae - A small family with a single genus, Cephalotus, known for the Albany pitcher plant.
• Cunoniaceae - A family of trees and shrubs, including the genus Cunonia.
• Brunelliaceae - A small family of tropical trees and shrubs.
• Huaceae - A family of flowering plants with a few genera.

Characteristics

Plants in the order Oxalidales are diverse in form, ranging from herbaceous plants to large trees. Common characteristics include:

• Leaves: Often compound or simple, with stipules present in some families.
• Flowers: Typically actinomorphic (radially symmetrical) and bisexual, with a varying number of petals and sepals.
• Fruit: Can be a capsule, berry, or drupe, depending on the family.

Distribution

Oxalidales are found worldwide, with a significant presence in tropical and subtropical regions. The family Oxalidaceae is particularly widespread, with species found in both temperate and tropical climates.

Economic Importance

Several members of the Oxalidales order have economic importance:

• Oxalis species are cultivated for their ornamental value and some, like Oxalis tuberosa, are grown for their edible tubers.
• Elaeocarpus species produce valuable timber and some species have edible fruits.
• The Albany pitcher plant (Cephalotus follicularis) is of interest to horticulturists and botanists due to its unique carnivorous nature.

Related Pages

• Eudicots
• Rosids
• Angiosperms
• Oxalidaceae
• Connaraceae
• Elaeocarpaceae
• Cephalotaceae
• Cunoniaceae
• Brunelliaceae
• Huaceae