Asphodelaceae

Asphodelaceae
Asphodelus macrocarpus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Juss.[1]
Subfamilies

For genera, see section § Genera.

Asphodelaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Asparagales.[2] Such a family has been recognized by most taxonomists, but the circumscription has varied widely. In its current circumscription in the APG IV system, it includes about 40 genera and 900 known species.[3] The type genus is Asphodelus.

The family has a wide, but scattered, distribution throughout the tropics and temperate zones; for example, Xanthorrhoea is endemic to Australia, while the Aloes are unique to Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Many of the family's genera are cultivated as ornamentals, with some being highly collectible and sought-after, such as Haworthia and Gasteria, as well as their intergeneric hybrids with Aloe (x Gasteraloe, x Gastorthia, x Haworthaloe, etc.), while a few are grown commercially for cut flowers. Two species of Aloe, A. vera and A. maculata, are grown for their leaf sap, which contains digestive enzymes, and has medicinal and cosmetic applications.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference APW_Asphodelaceae was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference APG2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Christenhusz-Byng2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).