The family Zygophyllaceae includes several hundred plant species in around two dozen genera. Species in this family live in tropical and warm climates, especially in arid (and sometimes saline) habitats. Most species are shrubby, but some grow as small trees and some are herbaceous. This family includes a number of well known species. Caltrops (Tribulus terrestris) is widespread in the Old World and is now widely naturalized in the New World as well (where it may grow over large areas, sprawling over the ground and producing an abundance of hard, spiny nutlets, and is generally viewed as a noxious weed). The Creosote Bushes (Larrea) are drought-tolerant shrubs highly characteric of the deserts of the North American southwest and South America (the common name refers to the creosote odor that emanates from the plant). (Mabberley 2008)
Zygophyllaceae is a family of flowering plants that contains the bean-caper and caltrop. The family includes around 285 species in 22 genera.[2]
Plants in the family Zygophyllaceae may be trees, shrubs, or herbs. They are often found in dry habitats. The leaves are usually opposite, often with stipules and spines. Some are cultivated as ornamental plants, such as species of the Guaiacum, Zygophyllum, Tribulus, and Larrea genera.[3] King Clone, a creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) in California, is among the world's oldest living organisms.
Peganum was in Zygophyllaceae before being moved to the newly created family Nitrariaceae.
In the APG III system of classification, the families Zygophyllaceae and Krameriaceae compose the order Zygophyllales. In the previous version of their classification system, the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group had included the option of placing Krameria within Zygophyllaceae.
Zygophyllaceae are divided into five subfamilies. Molecular phylogenies of the family were published in 2000[12] and 2018.[13] Phylogenies of groups within the family, particularly the predominantly southern African species of Zygophylloideae have also been published.[14][15][16]
Modern molecular phylogenetics suggest the following relationships:[8][12]
Zygophyllales Zygophyllaceae Morkillioideae Tribuloideae Seetzenioideae Larreoideae ZygophylloideaeZygophyllaceae is a family of flowering plants that contains the bean-caper and caltrop. The family includes around 285 species in 22 genera.
Plants in the family Zygophyllaceae may be trees, shrubs, or herbs. They are often found in dry habitats. The leaves are usually opposite, often with stipules and spines. Some are cultivated as ornamental plants, such as species of the Guaiacum, Zygophyllum, Tribulus, and Larrea genera. King Clone, a creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) in California, is among the world's oldest living organisms.
