Hericiaceae

Hericiaceae is a family of flowering plants that belongs to the order Gentianales. The family is native to the southern hemisphere, with the majority of species found in South America, particularly in the Andes. Hericiaceae is characterized by its small, often epiphytic or lithophytic herbs, with simple, entire leaves and small, often tubular flowers arranged in racemes or cymes. The family is monotypic, containing only one genus, Hericia, which comprises around 10 species. Hericiaceae is notable for its unique floral structure, with the flowers often having a distinctive, trumpet-shaped corolla and a superior ovary. The family is of interest to botanists due to its evolutionary significance and its role in understanding the diversification of Gentianales. Despite its relatively small size, Hericiaceae plays an important role in the broader context of plant evolution and classification.