Lisakaitsedaceae

Lisakaitsedaceae is a small family of flowering plants in the order Asterales. It contains only one genus, Lisakaitse, and a single species, Lisakaitse integrifolia. This plant is native to the southwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa. Lisakaitse integrifolia is a small, herbaceous perennial that typically grows in sandy soil in fynbos shrubland. It has simple, entire leaves and produces small, white, star-shaped flowers. The fruit is a small achene. The genus name, Lisakaitse, is derived from the Afrikaans words "lis" meaning smooth and "kaitse" meaning protect or guard, possibly referring to the plant's smooth leaves and its ability to grow in exposed areas. The species epithet, integrifolia, also from Latin, means "entire-leaved," a characteristic feature of the plant. Lisakaitsedaceae is notable for its phylogenetic position within Asterales, often showing up in molecular studies as a basal lineage within the order. Its taxonomic placement has been subject to some revision, but it is currently recognized as a distinct family. Research into the family's biology, ecology, and evolutionary relationships is ongoing.