Intiaceae

Intiaceae is a botanical name that has appeared in a small number of historical plant classifications as the name of a supposed family of flowering plants. In contemporary taxonomy, the name is not recognized by major systems and is not listed as an accepted family.

Status and circumscription: The concept of Intiaceae has never achieved stable, widely accepted circumscription. Different authors have proposed varying compositions for the group, but no consensus has been maintained. With the rise of molecular phylogenetics, the taxa previously associated with Intiaceae have been reassessed, and no lineage has been retained under this name in modern classifications.

Placement in modern systems: Major references—such as the APG system and related phylogenetic resources—do not recognize Intiaceae as a valid family. When historical sources mention Intiaceae, they typically place its included genera within other established families rather than in a distinct Intiaceae.

Nomenclature and etymology: The name appears to derive from Inti, the Inca sun god, reflecting an alleged geographical association. However, the lack of a stable circumscription and a formal, widely accepted type genus has contributed to its obsolescence in current practice.

Taxonomic history: The designation has appeared in older taxonomic literature but has not been retained in evidence-based, modern classifications. As a result, Intiaceae remains a nomenclatural footnote rather than a recognized lineage in current plant systematics.