List of malvid families

The malvids consist of eight orders of flowering plants: Brassicales, Crossosomatales, Geraniales, Huerteales, Malvales, Myrtales, Picramniales and Sapindales.^a This subgroup of the rosids is divided into 59 families of trees, shrubs, vines and herbaceous plants.⁴⁵

The mustard family includes broccoli, turnips, mustards, and radishes.⁶ The ornamental geraniums, and their many hybrids and cultivars, come from five species of Pelargonium.⁷ The mallow family includes the plants that yield cocoa beans, Cola nuts, okra, cotton and jute.⁸ In the family Lythraceae, Pomegranates were cultivated by Bronze Age cultures, and wild water chestnuts were consumed in large quantities by prehistoric Europeans.⁹ Eucalyptus trees are the tallest known flowering plants, up to 100 m (330 ft) or more; they are grown for timber and for their oils, used in candy, perfumes and cough medicine.¹⁰ Mangos and cashews come from the same plant family as poison ivy, and can sometimes trigger allergic reactions.¹¹ Canada produces most of the world's maple syrup, and the maple leaf is the country's national symbol.¹² Citrus agriculture outranks other sweet-fruit industries in warm climates.¹³

From the glossary of botanical terms:

• annual: a plant species that completes its life cycle within a single year or growing season
• basal: attached close to the base (of a plant or an evolutionary tree diagram)
• climber: a vine that leans on, twines around or clings to other plants for vertical support
• deciduous: falling seasonally, as with bark, leaves, or petals
• glandular hair: a hair tipped with a secretory structure
• herbaceous: not woody; usually green and soft in texture
• mangrove: any shrub or small tree growing in brackish or salt water
• perennial: not an annual or biennial
• succulent (adjective): juicy or fleshy
• unisexual: of one sex; bearing only male or only female reproductive organs
• woody: hard and lignified; not herbaceous¹⁴

The APG IV system is the fourth in a series of plant taxonomies from the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group.² In this system, Geraniales and Myrtales are basal within the malvids.¹⁵

Families

Family and a common name16b	Type genus and etymologyc	Total genera; global distribution	Description and uses	Order4	Type genus images
Akaniaceae (turnipwood family)18	Akania, from Greek for "bractless", possibly1819	2 genera, in the Himalayas, China, Southeast Asia and Australia20	Trees with a mustard scent in the bark and flowers18	Brassicales	Akania bidwillii
Alzateaceae (wantsum family)21	Alzatea, for José Antonio de Alzate y Ramírez (d. 1795), a cartographer21	1 genus, in South America22	Short evergreen trees and shrubs with four-sided stems2123	Myrtales	Alzatea verticillata
Anacardiaceae (cashew family)24	Anacardium, from a Greek plant name2425	79 genera, mostly in the tropics, with some temperate species2627	Shrubs, trees and vines, generally with sap that can turn black. Cashews and mangos are commercially important tropical crops.2428	Sapindales	Anacardium occidentale
Aphloiaceae (mountain-peach family)29	Aphloia, from Greek for "unbarked"29	1 genus, in Africa and on islands of the Indian Ocean30	Evergreen shrubs and small trees29	Crosso­somatales	Aphloia theiformis
Bataceae (turtleweed family)31	Batis, from Greek for "walking"32	1 genus, in New Guinea, Australia, and the tropics and subtropics of the Americas33	Short, succulent viny shrubs with unisexual flowers2331	Brassicales	Batis maritima
Biebersteiniaceae (khardug family)34	Biebersteinia, for Friedrich August Marschall von Bieberstein (1768–1826)34	1 genus, in Eurasia35	Foul-smelling herbaceous perennials with woody rhizomes34	Sapindales	—
Bixaceae (annatto family)36	Bixa, from a Carib plant name363738	3 genera, in the Americas and Madagascar39	Shrubs, trees and herbaceous perennials. Bixa orellana yields annatto, a widely used red food dye.2836	Malvales	Bixa orellana
Brassicaceae (cabbage family)6	Brassica, from a Latin plant name404142	344 genera, scattered around the world, especially in the Northern Hemisphere4344	Shrubs and herbaceous plants, with a few vines and small trees and a few species that grow in water. The cabbage family includes broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, watercress, radishes and horseradish, along with the plants that yield canola oil and the mustards.623	Brassicales	Brassica oleracea
Burseraceae (frankincense-and-myrrh family)45	Bursera, for Joachim Burser (1583–1639)4546	18 genera, in the tropics2647	Generally unisexual shrubs and trees, with some climbers and some species that grow on other plants. Most species, especially in the frankincense and myrrh genera, are heavily scented.2345	Sapindales	Bursera simaruba
Capparaceae (caper family)48	Capparis, from a Greek plant name4950	15 genera, around the world4351	Shrubs and trees, with up to 250 stamens per flower. Capers (the preserved flower buds of Capparis) are usually harvested in the wild rather than cultivated.4852	Brassicales	Capparis spinosa
Caricaceae (papaya family)53	Carica, from a Latin plant name5455	6 genera, in West Africa and the tropics of the Americas4356	Shrubs and trees, usually unisexual and spiny, with a few vines. Papaya fruit was already in cultivation in Central America before 1500.2853	Brassicales	Carica papaya
Cistaceae (rock-rose family)57	Cistus, from a Greek plant name585960	8 genera, mainly in warmer parts of the Northern Hemisphere6162	Shrubs and herbaceous plants, frequently with volatile oils, with a few tall tree species. Labdanum (from Cistus) is used in perfumes.2357	Malvales	Cistus monpeliensis
Cleomaceae (spiderflower family)63	Cleome, from Greek for "glory"636465	2 genera, in the subtropics, the tropics, and North America66	Shrubs and herbaceous plants. The leaves are consumed in South Africa.2363	Brassicales	Cleome ornithopodioides
Combretaceae (bushwillow family)67	Combretum, from a Latin plant name6869	10 genera, in the tropics7071	Shrubs, trees and woody vines, along with a few mangroves5267	Myrtales	Combretum fruticosum
Crossosomata­ceae (rockflower family)72	Crossosoma, from Greek for "fringed body" (of the seeds)7273	4 genera, in the US and northeastern Mexico74	Shrubs, often with small leaves, and a few trees72	Crosso­somatales	Crossosoma californicum
Crypteroniaceae (bekoi family)75	Crypteronia, from Greek for "hidden love" (for the small flowers)7576	3 genera, in the Asian tropics77	Evergreen trees with tiny bisexual or unisexual flowers75	Myrtales	—
Cytinaceae (rockrose-rape family)78	Cytinus, from Greek for "part of a pomegranate"7879	2 genera, in Africa and nearby islands, western Asia, and Mexico to northern South America80	Parasitic plants without chlorophyll, usually with unisexual flowers78	Malvales	Cytinus hypocistis
Dipentodontaceae (shichi family)81	Dipentodon, from Greek for "two groups of five teeth" (on the sepals and petals)8182	2 genera, scattered around the world8183	Unisexual and bisexual shrubs and trees81	Huerteales	—
Dipterocarpaceae (maranti family)84	Dipterocarpus, from Greek for "two-winged fruit"8485	16 genera, in South America, Africa and southern parts of Asia6186	Mostly evergreen trees with scented resins. These rainforest trees were an important source of timber and camphor a century ago, but they have been depleted from overlogging.8487	Malvales	Dipterocarpus alatus
Emblingiaceae (slippercreeper family)88	Emblingia, for Thomas Embling (1814–1893)89	1 genus, in Australia90	Herbaceous shrubs with low branches88	Brassicales	Emblingia calceoliflora
Francoaceae (bridal-wreath family)91	Francoa, for Francisco Franco (c. 1515 – c. 1569), a Spanish doctor9192	6 genera, in South America and Africa9394	Small trees, large shrubs and herbaceous plants, some used in herbal teas2891	Geraniales	Francoa appendiculata
Geissolomataceae (cape-cups family)95	Geissoloma, from Greek for "tiled fringe" (on the petals)96	1 genus, in South Africa97	Short, many-branched shrubs that bioaccumulate aluminium95	Crosso­somatales	Geissoloma marginatum
Geraniaceae (crane's-bill family)7	Geranium, from a Greek plant name meaning "crane"9899100	8 genera, scattered around the world93101	Shrubs and herbaceous plants, most of them hairy, some succulent723	Geraniales	Geranium dissectum
Gerrardinaceae (brown-ironwood family)102	Gerrardina, for William Tyrer Gerrard (c. 1831 – 1866)103	1 genus, in southern Africa and Tanzania104	Shrubs and small trees, frequently with drooping branches102	Huerteales	Gerrardina foliosa
Guamatelaceae (Guatemalan-bramble family)105	Guamatela, an anagram of Guatemala105	1 genus, in Mexico and Central America106	Many-branched shrubs105	Crosso­somatales	—
Gyrostemona­ceae (buttoncreeper family)107	Gyrostemon, from Greek for "round stamens"107108	5 genera, in Australia43109	Annual unisexual shrubs and small trees, frequently succulent107	Brassicales	Gyrostemon ramulosis
Kirkiaceae (white-seringa family)45	Kirkia, for John Kirk (1832–1922)110	1 genus, in Africa111	Trees and shrubs with essentially unisexual flowers. Timber from Kirkia acuminata is used for construction, furniture and tool-making.45	Sapindales	Kirkia wilmsii
Koeberliniaceae (allthorn family)112	Koeberlinia, for Christoph Ludwig Köberlin (1794–1862), a German botanist and clergyman113	1 genus, in the US, Mexico and Bolivia114	Deciduous, many-branched, thorny-tipped shrubs and small trees23112	Brassicales	Koeberlinia spinosa
Limnanthaceae (meadowfoam family)115	Limnanthes, from Greek for "marsh flowers"116117	2 genera, in North America118	Mustard-scented herbaceous annuals. Poached egg plant is grown as an ornamental.115	Brassicales	Limnanthes douglasii
Lythraceae (pomegranate family)119	Lythrum, from Greek for "bloody" (flowers)120121122	28 genera, in temperate and tropical Eurasia, Africa and Oceania70123	Shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants, often with square stems, with some mangroves and aquatic species52119	Myrtales	Lythrum salicaria
Malvaceae (mallow family)8	Malva, from a Latin plant name124125126	245 genera, scattered worldwide61127	Hairy shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants. Cocoa beans are native to tropical South and Central America, and Cola nuts are native to West Africa. The most commercially valuable genera are Gossypium (for cotton) and Corchorus (for jute).852	Malvales	Malva sylvestris
Melastomataceae (senduduk family)128	Melastoma, from Greek for "black mouth" (the result of eating the berries)129130	164 genera, mostly in the tropics and subtropics70131	Trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, with a few species that grow in water or on other plants52128	Myrtales	Melastoma malabathricum
Meliaceae (neem family)132	Melia, from a Greek plant name129133134	58 genera, in the tropics, with some temperate species26135	Generally unisexual shrublets, shrubs and trees. Neem oil has many uses, including as a pesticide, and the wood is similar to mahogany.28132	Sapindales	Melia azedarach
Moringaceae (horseradish-tree family)136	Moringa, from a Tamil plant name137	1 genus, in Africa, Southwest Asia and South Asia138	Mustard-scented shrubs and trees, with a few herbaceous plants28136	Brassicales	Moringa oleifera
Muntingiaceae (bajelly-tree family)139	Muntingia, for Abraham Munting (1626–1683)140141	3 genera, from Mexico to South America142	Hairy shrubs and trees23139	Malvales	Muntingia calabura
Myrtaceae (myrtle family)143	Myrtus, from Greek and Latin plant names144145146	126 genera, in the tropics and warmer temperate zones70147	Evergreen shrubs and trees, most with volatile oils, including Eucalyptus and the tree that produces clove spice23143	Myrtales	Myrtus communis
Neuradaceae (pietsnot family)148	Neurada, from Greek and Latin plant names149150	3 genera, in Africa and southern Asia151	Herbaceous plants, usually with hairy stems that hug the ground148	Malvales	Neurada procumbens
Nitrariaceae (nitrebush family)152	Nitraria, from Greek for "nitre" (found near the plant)152153	4 genera, scattered around the world154	Shrubs and herbaceous plants, frequently succulent, that bioaccumulate salt152	Sapindales	Nitraria billardierei
Onagraceae (fuchsia family)155	Oenothera. Onagra, an earlier synonym, is from Greek for (fodder for the) "onager".155156157	22 genera, scattered worldwide70158	Shrubs and a few trees and woody vines, including Fuchsia and evening primrose52155	Myrtales	Oenothera biennis
Penaeaceae (cape-fellwort family)159	Penaea, for Pierre Pena (1535–1605), a French doctor and botanist160161	3 genera, from South Africa to Ethiopia162	Small shrubs to tall trees with buttress roots, all with four-sided new stems87159	Myrtales	Penaea mucronata
Pentadiplandra­ceae (oubli family)163	Pentadiplandra, from Greek for "five double male" (stamens)163	1 genus, in the African tropics164	Just one species: a shrub with smooth stems that occasionally sprouts woody vines28163	Brassicales	Pentadiplandra brazzeana
Petenaeaceae (Petén-linden family)165	Petenaea, for Lake Petén Itzá165	1 genus, in Mexico and Central America166	Large shrubs and small trees165	Huerteales	—
Picramniaceae (bitterbush family)167	Picramnia, from Greek for "bitter bush"167168	4 genera, in South America and southern North America169	Unisexual shrubs and trees with small flowers23167	Picramni­ales	Picramnia glazioviana
Resedaceae (mignonette family)170	Reseda, from a Latin plant name171172	11 genera, around the world43173	Shrubs, trees, vines and herbaceous plants. Reseda odorata (a mignonette species) is an ornamental that is also used in perfumes.52170	Brassicales	Reseda lutea
Rutaceae (citrus family)174	Ruta, from a Latin plant name175176	153 genera, in tropical and temperate zones26177	Shrubs, trees and herbaceous perennials, usually scented. Citrus fruits were in cultivation in China 5000 years ago.87174	Sapindales	Ruta graveolens
Salvadoraceae (toothbrush-tree family)178	Salvadora, for Jaime Salvador y Pedrol (1649–1740), a Spanish apothecary179180	3 genera, in Africa and South Asia43181	Shrubs and small trees with succulent or leathery leaves52178	Brassicales	Salvadora persica
Sapindaceae (maple family)182	Sapindus, from Latin for "soap of India"183184	143 genera, in the tropics, with some temperate species26185	Shrubs, trees, climbers and herbaceous perennials. Lychee and rambutan fruits are widely cultivated in Asia. The family contains many ornamental species.87182	Sapindales	Sapindus saponaria
Sarcolaenaceae (tunic-bells family)186	Sarcolaena, from Greek for "flesh cloak"186187	10 genera, in Madagascar61188	Hairy evergreen shrubs and trees186	Malvales	Sarcolaena oblongifolia
Setchellantha­ceae (azulita family)189	Setchellanthus, for William Albert Setchell (1864–1943)190	1 genus, in Mexico191	Hairy many-branched shrubs with succulent leaves23189	Brassicales	—
Simaroubaceae (tree-of-heaven family)192	Simarouba, from a Carib plant name192193	20 genera, in the tropics, with some temperate species194	Shrubs and trees with bitter bark. Corkwood is lightweight, and used to make floats for fishing nets.52192	Sapindales	Simarouba amara
Sphaerosepala­ceae (lombiry family)195	Rhopalocarpus. Sphaerosepalum, an earlier synonym, is from Greek for "spherical sepals".195196197	2 genera, in Madagascar198	Shrubs and trees. Many of the species are threatened.195	Malvales	—
Stachyuraceae (spiketail family)199	Stachyurus, from Greek for "spike tail" (on the inflorescences)200201	1 genus, in East Asia and mainland Southeast Asia202	Unisexual and bisexual shrubs and small trees, with a few vines199	Crosso­somatales	Stachyurus praecox
Staphyleaceae (bladdernut family)203	Staphylea, from Greek for "clusters" (of flowers)201204205	3 genera, scattered worldwide206	Shrubs and trees203	Crosso­somatales	Staphylea pinnata
Strasburgeriaceae (tawari family)207	Strasburgeria, for Eduard Strasburger (1844–1912)208209	2 genera, in New Caledonia and New Zealand210	Evergreen trees207	Crosso­somatales	Strasburgeria robusta
Tapisciaceae (silverpheasant-tree family)211	Tapiscia, an anagram of the genus Pistacia211212	2 genera, in the Americas and in East and mainland Southeast Asia213	Trees with fluorescent wood23211	Huerteales	Tapiscia sinensis
Thymelaeaceae (mezereon family)214	Thymelaea, from Greek for "poison olive"214215	52 genera, scattered worldwide61216	Generally poisonous shrubs, small trees and herbaceous perennials, with a few vines. The bark of some species has traditionally been used to make strong, fibrous paper.52214	Malvales	Thymelaea hirsuta
Tovariaceae (stinkbush family)88	Tovaria, for Simón de Tovar, a Spanish doctor and botanist217	1 genus, from Mexico to the tropics of the Americas218	Foul-smelling erect herbaceous perennials and floppy shrubs2388	Brassicales	Tovaria pendula
Tropaeolaceae (nasturtium family)219	Tropaeolum, from Greek for "trophy"220221	1 genus, in Mexico and Central and South America222	Mustard-scented herbaceous annuals and perennials, including garden nasturtium and other ornamentals23219	Brassicales	Tropaeolum majus
Vochysiaceae (quaruba family)223	Vochysia, from a Carib plant name223224	8 genera, mainly in the tropics of the Americas and West Africa70225	Trees and shrubs that bioaccumulate aluminium23223	Myrtales	Vochysia lucida