Bakentiaceae

Bakentiaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Asterales. It was first described in 2016 and contains only one genus, Bakentia. This genus includes a single species, Bakentia crassa, which is native to the Andes mountains in South America. The plant is a small shrub, typically growing to about one meter in height. It has ovate, toothed leaves and produces small, white flowers that are borne in clusters. The fruit is a capsule. Bakentia crassa is found in high-altitude grasslands and paramo ecosystems. Information on its conservation status is limited, but it is considered rare due to its restricted geographic range. The family's placement within Asterales is based on morphological and molecular data, though its exact evolutionary relationships are still under investigation. Further research is needed to fully understand the biology and ecological role of Bakentiaceae.