Epicales

Epicales is a proposed order of flowering plants that would encompass families within the monocotyledonous lineage. While not a universally accepted taxonomic rank, the concept of Epicales has been explored in phylogenetic studies aiming to refine the classification of monocots. The group is primarily characterized by certain floral and vegetative traits, although these can be variable.

The main families that would typically be included in Epicales, if it were a formal order, are often those previously placed in a broader category or related to the grasses and sedges. These families share a common ancestry that distinguishes them from other monocot groups. Research into the evolutionary relationships of these plants has led to various proposed groupings, with Epicales being one such attempt to organize these lineages.

The delimitation of Epicales, like many taxonomic groupings, is based on molecular data and morphological evidence. As our understanding of plant evolution continues to advance through new analytical techniques and a broader range of genetic information, the precise composition and validity of such proposed orders can change. Therefore, Epicales is best understood as a hypothesis within the ongoing scientific endeavor to chart the diversity and history of plant life.