Hydrophylloideae is a
subfamily
In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zo ...
of the plant family
Boraginaceae
Boraginaceae, the Borago, borage or forget-me-not family, includes about 2,000 species of shrubs, trees, and herbs in 146 to 154 genus, genera with a worldwide distribution.
The APG IV system from 2016 classifies the Boraginaceae as single famil ...
. Its taxonomic position is somewhat uncertain. Traditionally, and under the
Cronquist system
The Cronquist system is a list of systems of plant taxonomy, taxonomic classification system of angiosperms, flowering plants. It was developed by Arthur Cronquist in a series of monographs and texts, including ''The Evolution and Classification of ...
, the taxon was given family rank under the name Hydrophyllaceae, and treated as part of the order
Solanales. More recent systems have recognised a close relationship to the borage family, Boraginaceae, initially by placing Hydrophyllaceae and Boraginaceae together in an order
Boraginales, and in the 2016
APG IV system
The APG IV system of flowering plant classification is the fourth version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy for flowering plants (angiosperms) being developed by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG). It was publish ...
by including Hydrophyllaceae in Boraginaceae. However, the placement and circumscription of Boraginaceae is still uncertain. Some sources now split off Hydrophyllaceae again (together with Namaceae).
Plants in this subfamily may be annual or perennial herbs or shrubs, with either a prostrate or an erect stem. Most have a taproot. The flowers are bisexual, and normally radial, with 5 petals and 5 stamens. About 20 genera, containing around 300 species, are recognised; many of them are native to the western United States.
The subfamily takes its name from the genus ''
Hydrophyllum'' (waterleaf). Members include ''
Emmenanthe'' (whispering bells), ''
Nemophila'' (baby blue eyes) and ''
Phacelia'' (scorpionweed).
[
]
Genera
, the Angiosperm Phylogeny Website accepted the family Hydrophyllaceae rather than the subfamily Hydrophylloideae, and included 12 genera:[Stevens, P.F. (2001 onwards)]
"List of Genera in Hydrophyllaceae"
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
* '' Draperia'' Torr. ex A.Gray
* '' Ellisia'' L.
* '' Emmenanthe'' Benth.
* '' Eucrypta'' Nutt.
* '' Hesperochiron'' S.Wats.
* '' Howellanthus'' (Constance) Walden & R.Patt.
* '' Hydrophyllum'' L.
* '' Nemophila'' Nutt.
* '' Phacelia'' Juss.
* '' Pholistoma'' Lilja
* '' Romanzoffia'' Cham.
* '' Tricardia'' Torr. ex S.Watson
Four further genera were accepted by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Website, but placed in the family Namaceae:[Stevens, P.F. (2001 onwards)]
"List of Genera in Namaceae"
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
*'' Eriodictyon'' Benth.
*'' Nama'' L.
*'' Turricula'' J.F.Macbr.
*''Wigandia
''Wigandia'' is a genus of flowering plants within the waterleaf subfamily, Hydrophylloideae. They are found mainly in Central America and South America, though one or two species are found as far north as the United States. Some are grown as ...
'' Kunth
The division into two families rather than one subfamily follows the recommendations of the Boraginales Working Group.
References
External links
Global Biodiversity Information Facility: Hydrophyllaceae
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5905613
Asterid subfamilies