Urticales

Urticales is an order of flowering plants that belongs to the asterid clade within the eudicots. The order is characterized by its diverse range of plant families, including the Urticaceae, which is the family of nettles, and the Moringaceae, known for its moringa trees. The order is named after the family Urticaceae, which is derived from the Latin word "urtica," meaning "nettle."

The Urticales order is notable for its economic importance, with several species providing valuable resources. For example, moringa trees are cultivated for their leaves, which are rich in nutrients and used in traditional medicine and as a food source. Nettles, on the other hand, are used in various culinary applications and have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes.

The order also includes other families such as the Cecropiaceae, which is known for its cecropia trees, and the Datiscaceae, which includes the datisca plant. These families contribute to the biodiversity and ecological significance of the Urticales order.

Despite its diversity, the Urticales order faces challenges such as habitat loss and overharvesting, which threaten the survival of many species within the order. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserve the biodiversity and ecological functions of these plants.