brakteales

Brakteales 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 Brakteaceae, which is the only family within the order. Brakteaceae is a small family of flowering plants that includes about 10 species, all of which are native to the tropical regions of Africa and Madagascar. The plants in this family are typically small trees or shrubs, with simple, alternate leaves and small, inconspicuous flowers. The fruits of these plants are usually small, dry capsules that contain numerous seeds.

The order Brakteales is of particular interest to botanists due to its unique evolutionary history. The family Brakteaceae is thought to have diverged from other eudicots around 100 million years ago, making it one of the more ancient families within the asterid clade. Despite its age, the family has remained relatively unchanged, with its members retaining many of the same characteristics that they had millions of years ago.

The taxonomy of Brakteales is still a topic of ongoing research, as scientists continue to study the genetic and morphological characteristics of its members. However, the order is generally recognized as a distinct group within the eudicots, with its own unique evolutionary history and characteristics.