aceae

Acei is not a distinct taxon itself; rather, -aceae is a standard suffix used to name a family in biological classification. The suffix marks the rank of family in the hierarchical system and is employed across several groups, notably plants, algae, fungi, and many bacteria. The naming is governed by formal codes: the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) for plants, algae, and fungi, and the International Code of Nomenclature for Prokaryotes (ICNP) for bacteria. In formal usage, a family name ending in -aceae is capitalized and treated as a proper taxonomic name.

Most family names are built from the stem of a representative genus, called the type genus, with the suffix -aceae appended. Latin grammar and tradition shape the exact form to ensure consistency and distinctiveness. Common examples include Rosaceae (roses), Asteraceae (asters and related plants), Poaceae (grasses), Brassicaceae (the mustard family), Solanaceae (nightshades), Fabaceae (legumes), and Amanitaceae (the Amanita mushrooms). These names signal a recognized, related group that shares defining characteristics and a shared evolutionary history.

Usage and scope: The -aceae suffix is widespread beyond plants, appearing in bacterial and fungal taxonomy as well, reflecting its role in signaling a family-level grouping. While the assignment of family names follows formal rules that may change with reclassification, the -aceae ending provides a stable, recognizable indicator of rank across disciplines. The system supports clear communication and organized growth of biological knowledge.