Triuridaceae

Triuridaceae
Sciaphila secundiflora
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Pandanales
Family: Triuridaceae
Gardner[1]
Genera

See text

Flower of Lacandonia schismatica

Triuridaceae are a family of tropical and subtropical flowering plants, including nine genera with a total of approximately 55 known species.[2] All members lack chlorophyll and are mycoheterotrophic (obtain food by digesting intracellular fungi, often erroneously called 'saprophytes'). The heterotrophic lifestyle of these plants has resulted in a loss of xylem vessels and stomata, and a reduction of leaves to scales.[3]

The flowers of Triuridaceae have tepals which are fused at the base and contain 10 to many free carpels.

  1. ^ Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2009). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 161 (2): 105–121. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x. hdl:10654/18083.
  2. ^ Christenhusz, M. J. M. & Byng, J. W. (2016). "The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase". Phytotaxa. 261 (3). Magnolia Press: 201–217. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1.
  3. ^ "Neotropical Triuridaceae". Kew Royal Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 2012-10-31.