Plautaceae

Plautaceae is a plant family name that has appeared in historical and less widely used taxonomic treatments but is not presently recognized as an accepted family by major botanical databases. In different classifications the circumscription of Plautaceae has varied, with some authors placing its genera in Amaranthaceae sensu lato, others in Molluginaceae or Caryophyllaceae, and a few treating Plautaceae as a distinct family.

As a result, there is no universally agreed list of genera or diagnostic features associated with Plautaceae. Because opinions differ, the subsequent placement of those taxa remains fluid across sources and over time.

The name adheres to standard family-naming conventions, but its use is largely historical. Older floras and some niche treatments may still mention Plautaceae, though contemporary floras generally bypass it in favor of more widely accepted families.

Modern classifications typically treat the taxa once placed in Plautaceae as part of other families, depending on the taxonomic system being followed. For readers seeking current placements, it is best to consult reliable databases and reference works that reflect modern, APG-based systems.

See also: List of plant families; taxonomic databases.