Subclass:
Caryophyllidae
Links to Family Pages:
Aizoaceae Molluginaceae Amaranthaceae Nyctaginaceae Cactaceae Phytolaccaceae Caryophyllaceae Plumbaginaceae Chenopodiaceae Polygonaceae Didiereaceae Portulacaceae
Subclass consisting of 13 families, and about 11,000 species of angiosperms - the bulk of the subclass often referred to as the Centrospermae. The Caryophyllidae is a distinctive group usually defined by the presence of betalain pigments rather than anthocyanins, free-central (hence the name "Centrospermae") or basal placentation in a compound ovary, and an impressive list of anatomical and embryological features. Most members are herbaceous, with woody species possessing anomalous secondary growth. Adaptation to xeric environments with stem succulence and the evolution of C4 and CAM photosynthesis is common in the subclass.
Molecular phylogenetic studies support the naturalness of the subclass with the addition of two carnivorous families - the Nepenthaceae and Droseraceae. The Caryophyllidae is either part of or closely related to the new, expanded Rosidae.