Polethaceae

Polethaceae is not recognized as a valid plant family in contemporary botanical classifications. In modern taxonomy, the name is generally considered either a misspelling or an outdated synonym of Polemoniaceae, the phlox family, or a historical, nonstandard group that has fallen out of use.

Historically, Polethaceae appeared in a small number of regional floras and older taxonomic treatments. Over time, as morphological studies and, more recently, molecular phylogenetics advanced, these treatments were revised, and the circumscription of Polethoniaceae (the more common spelling Polemoniaceae) was retained while Polethaceae was not adopted in current systems. Because the name is not part of standard classifications, there is no consistent diagnostic description or formal circumscription for Polethaceae today.

For readers seeking related information, Polemoniaceae is the widely accepted family often associated with the term. Polemoniaceae includes herbaceous flowering plants, frequently with showy flowers in five petals, and a diversity of growth forms from perennials to rarely annuals. Its well-known genera include Polemonium (Jacob’s ladder) and Phlox, among others, depending on the taxonomic treatment referenced. To avoid confusion, most modern databases and floras list Polethaceae as an obsolete or incorrect name and direct attention to Polemoniaceae for authoritative information on this group.