plantfamilie

A plant family is a rank in the biological classification system used in botany to group together related genera. Families share structural, developmental, and genetic features that reflect common ancestry. The term is part of the standard taxonomic hierarchy that sits between order and genus.

In modern nomenclature, plant family names end with the suffix -aceae in Latin. The rank is defined by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN). Notable examples include Rosaceae (roses, apples), Fabaceae (legumes), Asteraceae (the daisy family), Poaceae (grasses), and Lamiaceae (mints).

Historically, classification relied on morphological traits such as flower parts, ovary position, and fruit type. Today molecular phylogenetics—comparing DNA sequences—plays a central role in determining family boundaries and relationships. This has led to reassignments and reorganizations for many groups as new data become available.

A plant family can range from a few dozen species to thousands. Some families are cosmopolitan, occurring in many regions and climates; others are concentrated in particular habitats, such as tropical rainforests or arid zones.

Understanding plant families aids identification, communication, and research in botany, horticulture, agriculture, and ecology. It provides a framework for predicting shared traits, ecological roles, and evolutionary history among related plants.