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Commelinales

Commelinales is an order of monocotyledonous flowering plants within the commelinid clade, consisting of five families—Commelinaceae, Haemodoraceae, Hanguanaceae, Philydraceae, and Pontederiaceae—that together encompass approximately 70 genera and 900 species of primarily herbaceous plants.^[1]^[2] These plants are characterized by their often perennial or rhizomatous growth habit, spiral or two-ranked leaves that are typically ensiform (sword-shaped), and trimerous flowers with three sepals and three petals, frequently exhibiting monosymmetry or enantiostyly (mirror-image stamen placement).^[1] Predominantly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with extensions into temperate areas such as Australia and parts of North America, Commelinales species show diverse habits ranging from terrestrial herbs to fully aquatic forms.^[2] The order is monophyletic and positioned as sister to Zingiberales in the angiosperm phylogeny, with a crown-group age estimated at around 110 million years.^[1] Commelinaceae, the largest family with about 40 genera and over 700 species (as of 2025), includes well-known genera like Tradescantia (spiderworts) and Commelina (dayflowers), many of which are popular ornamentals or edibles.^[2]^[3] Haemodoraceae (ca. 14 genera, ~110 species) features bloodroot-like plants valued for their pigments and often adapted to fire-prone habitats, while Pontederiaceae (2 genera, ca. 60 species) comprises aquatic or semi-aquatic plants, notably the invasive water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes).^[1]^[2]^[4] The smaller families Hanguanaceae (1 genus, ca. 25 species) and Philydraceae (3 genera, ca. 10 species) are mostly restricted to Southeast Asia and Australia, respectively, and contribute to the order's morphological diversity through unique floral and pollen traits.^[2] Ecologically, Commelinales play varied roles, from wetland stabilizers in Pontederiaceae to weed species that can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, and they lack mycorrhizal associations, relying instead on other nutrient strategies.^[1] Economically, members are significant for horticulture (e.g., kangaroo paws in Haemodoraceae), traditional medicines, and dyes, though some pose challenges as invasive species.^[2] The classification follows the APG IV system, which maintains the five-family circumscription with minimal changes from prior versions, though recent phylogenomic analyses continue to refine internal relationships, including revisions within Commelinaceae.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Description

Morphological characteristics

Plants in the Commelinales order are predominantly herbaceous, encompassing annuals, perennials, geophytes, and some scandent or aquatic forms that adapt to diverse habitats from terrestrial to wetland environments.^[1] Growth is typically sympodial, with stems that are erect, prostrate, or rhizomatous, featuring scattered vascular bundles and lacking a vascular cambium, which contributes to their flexible, non-woody architecture.^[1] Examples include the climbing vines in Commelinaceae genera like Dichorisandra and the floating aquatic species in Pontederiaceae, such as Eichhornia crassipes.^[5] Leaves are alternate, arranged in a spiral or two-ranked fashion, and vary from linear to ovate or broad-elliptic shapes, with parallel venation and sheathing bases that may be open or closed; petioles are present or absent depending on the family.^[1] The leaf blades are often bifacial, though isobifacial structures occur in some taxa, and silica bodies in the leaf tissues provide mechanical support.^[1] In aquatic Pontederiaceae, leaves can be floating or emergent, with expanded blades for photosynthesis in water.^[6] Inflorescences are terminal or axillary, commonly cymose, racemose, or thyrsoid, with bracts that may be spathaceous or reduced, leading to determinate flowering branches.^[1] Flowers are typically bisexual and range from actinomorphic to zygomorphic, featuring tepaloid perianth segments in two whorls of three, where the outer tepals are sometimes reduced or sepal-like (green) and the inner ones petaloid (white to blue or purple).^[5] In Commelinaceae, such as Tradescantia, the flowers display vibrant blue or purple petals, attracting pollinators.^[5] The androecium consists of six stamens opposite the tepals, though variation is common with 1–6 fertile stamens and staminodes in some families; filaments may be glabrous, barbate, or curved for pollinator specificity.^[1] The gynoecium features a syncarpous ovary that is typically superior (though inferior in some Haemodoraceae), with 2–3 locules and axile or parietal placentation bearing few to many anatropous ovules; the style is simple and elongate, ending in a capitate or truncate stigma.^[7] Pollen grains are often united in tetrads, a trait shared with broader commelinids.^[1] These floral features support diverse pollination syndromes, from insects to water dispersal in aquatics. Fruits develop as loculicidal capsules, berries, or achenes, dehiscing to release 1–many seeds per locule; seeds are small to medium-sized, with a testal and tegmic integument, often operculate, and starchy or helobial endosperm that aids germination.^[1] In Pontederiaceae, fruits are typically utricles or capsules adapted for aquatic dispersal.^[6]

Anatomical features

The order Commelinales is characterized by several distinctive anatomical features at the tissue and cellular levels that serve as synapomorphies uniting its families, distinguishing it from other monocot orders. A primary synapomorphy is the presence of copious, starchy endosperm in seeds, typically with complex starch grains, which develops in a helobial manner where cell wall formation begins in the chalazal chamber before the micropylar one. This starch-rich endosperm contrasts with the more proteinaceous or oily types found in many other monocots and supports the nutritional needs of the developing embryo in these often herbaceous plants.^[1]^[8] Roots in Commelinales exhibit a notable absence of mycorrhizal associations, a rare trait among vascular plants that sets the order apart from most monocots, where such symbioses are common for nutrient uptake. This lack is consistent across families and may relate to the order's adaptation to nutrient-rich, often wetland habitats. Additionally, the tapetum in anthers features raphides—needle-like calcium oxalate crystals—that are deposited in tapetal cells, providing a protective or structural role during pollen development; this character is reported in multiple families like Commelinaceae and Haemodoraceae, reinforcing its status as an order-level synapomorphy.^[1]^[9]^[8] The vascular system includes vessels in the xylem, an advanced feature for monocots where tracheids predominate in basal lineages, with scalariform perforation plates typical in vessel elements. Stems display an atactostelic arrangement, with vascular bundles scattered throughout the ground tissue rather than forming a central stele or peripheral ring, facilitating efficient transport in the often succulent or rhizomatous stems of these plants. Epidermal cells frequently contain silica bodies (phytoliths), particularly prominent in Commelinaceae, where they occur in the cell lumen or walls and contribute to mechanical support or defense against herbivores.^[1]^[8]^[10] Pollen grains in Commelinales have walls composed of sporopollenin in the exine, providing durability, with ultrastructures varying by family but often featuring a tectate or semi-tectate organization. For instance, in Commelinaceae, the exine is commonly columellate with a reticulate or rugulate surface pattern, enhancing pollen dispersal in diverse pollinator interactions. These microscopic traits collectively underscore the order's cohesion within the commelinid clade.^[1]^[11]^[8]

Taxonomy

Historical classification

The order Commelinales was first formally recognized in the early 19th century by Charles-François Brisseau de Mirbel, who established it in 1820 with the family Commelinaceae as its central element, highlighting shared morphological features such as swollen internodes and tubular leaf sheaths that distinguished the group from other monocots.^[12] Mirbel's circumscription occasionally incorporated Mayacaceae, laying a foundational emphasis on vegetative and inflorescence traits for defining the order's core affinities.^[13] By the mid-19th century, George Bentham and Joseph Dalton Hooker, in their influential Genera Plantarum (1862–1883), integrated Commelinaceae into the broader subclass Liliiflorae, associating it with a wider alliance of monocot families based on floral and fruit characteristics, though they dispersed related groups like Pontederiaceae into allied but distinct placements such as Farinosae. This approach reflected a natural system prioritizing observable similarities in perianth structure and stamen arrangement, yet it highlighted the challenges of delineating clear boundaries without genetic data.^[13] Adolf Engler's system, detailed in works like Das Pflanzenreich (1903), positioned Commelinales within the subclass Liliopsida, separating it from Liliales and emphasizing diagnostic traits such as mealy endosperm, deliquescent corollas, and superior ovaries to unite families including Commelinaceae, Philydraceae, and Pontederiaceae under a revised Farinosae-like framework.^[14] Engler's refinements incorporated anatomical details like glandular microhairs, influencing subsequent classifications by stressing evolutionary convergence in monocot diversification.^[13] In the late 20th century, Arthur Cronquist's An Integrated System of Classification of Flowering Plants (1981) defined Commelinales more expansively within subclass Commelinidae, incorporating Commelinaceae, Pontederiaceae, Haemodoraceae, Hanguanaceae, and Philydraceae, while linking it to adjacent orders like Juncales (including Juncaceae) and Restionales (including Restoniaceae, now recognized separately); this was based on shared features such as paracytic stomata and starchy endosperm.^[15] Similarly, Rolf Dahlgren's treatments in the 1980s, particularly The Families of the Monocotyledons (1985), aligned closely with Cronquist by placing Commelinaceae, Eriocaulaceae, Mayacaceae, Rapateaceae, and Xyridaceae in Commelinales under superorder Commeliniflorae, underscoring commelinaceous affinities through rosette habits, showy flowers, and chemical profiles, though reassigning groups like Haemodoraceae to Haemodorales. Pre-molecular classifications like these often resulted in polyphyletic groupings, as morphological reliance led to inconsistent family inclusions—ranging from one to eleven—and debates over the order's monophyly due to convergent traits in inflorescences and leaf anatomy.^[13] These historical systems paved the way for modern revisions, such as the APG framework, which resolved many ambiguities through phylogenetic analysis.

Modern classification

The modern classification of Commelinales is based on the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) IV system, published in 2016, which recognizes it as a well-supported order of monocots within the commelinids clade. This framework incorporates molecular phylogenetic data to define the order, encompassing five families: Commelinaceae, Haemodoraceae, Hanguanaceae, Philydraceae, and Pontederiaceae.^[16] The order exhibits a total diversity of approximately 60 genera and 920 species, with Commelinaceae as the largest and most species-rich family, accounting for 39 genera and 749 species. This dominance highlights the order's emphasis on herbaceous growth forms, many of which are adapted to wetland or tropical environments.^[2] In the broader monocot phylogeny, Commelinales is positioned as sister to Zingiberales, together forming part of the Arecales-Commelinales-Zingiberales subclade within commelinids, a relationship robustly supported by both nuclear and plastid data. Recent advancements include a 2021 phylogenomic analysis that refined intrafamilial relationships in Commelinaceae, notably by elevating Dichorisandrinae to subfamily status based on multi-locus sequencing of 290 species. An older synonym for groupings inclusive of Haemodoraceae is Haemodorales, reflecting pre-molecular classifications.^[16]^[2]

Constituent families

The order Commelinales comprises five families, each with distinct morphological characteristics adapted to diverse habitats ranging from terrestrial to aquatic environments.^[2] Commelinaceae, the largest family in the order, includes 39 genera and approximately 749 species, predominantly consisting of terrestrial or aquatic herbs distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.^[17]^[2] These plants are characterized by closed leaf sheaths, trimerous hypogynous flowers with ephemeral corollas that often last only a single day, and a tendency toward self-pollination in many species.^[18] Notable genera include Tradescantia, known for its colorful foliage and ornamental value, and Commelina, which features distinctive blue flowers and weedy habits in disturbed areas.^[19] Haemodoraceae encompasses 15 genera and around 120 species, primarily geophytic herbs with colorful, bird-pollinated flowers and often red or orange latex in their tissues, mainly occurring in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly Australia and southern Africa.^[2]^[20] Distinguishing features include basal, iris-like leaves, rhizomatous or bulbous growth, and perianth segments in two whorls of three, with an inferior ovary developing into a capsule.^[21] The family is exemplified by Haemodorum, commonly called blood lilies due to their striking red sap and inflorescences.^[22] Hanguanaceae is a small family with a single genus, Hanguana, containing approximately 20 species of dioecious climbers, shrubs, or arborescent herbs native to Southeast Asia and nearby regions.^[2] These plants stand out for their unique habit, including scandent stems up to several meters long, unisexual flowers in separate inflorescences, and fleshy berries as fruits, which differ from the capsular fruits typical in related families. Recent revisions as of 2025 recognize around 22 species (POWO).^[23]^[24] The arborescent growth form in some species, such as Hanguana malayana, represents a rare adaptation within the order for forest understories.^[25] Philydraceae consists of 3 genera (Philydrella, Philydrum, and Helmholtzia) and 6 species, mainly rush-like wetland herbs restricted to Australia, Southeast Asia, and nearby Pacific islands.^[2] Key traits include linear, sheathing leaves, terminal spikes or racemes of small, bracteate flowers with a superior ovary, and anthers that dehisce via apical pores, adapted to moist, marshy habitats.^[26] These plants exhibit a distinctive rush-like appearance, with Philydrum lanuginosum featuring woolly inflorescences that aid in water dispersal.^[27] Pontederiaceae includes 2 genera and approximately 41 species, mostly aquatic or semi-aquatic herbs that are pantropical in distribution, with a focus on freshwater ecosystems. Recent taxonomic revisions as of 2020 have lumped several former genera (e.g., Eichhornia, Monochoria) into Pontederia and Heteranthera.^[2]^[28] The family is marked by emergent or free-floating growth, bifacial leaves with spongy petioles in some taxa, and often zygomorphic flowers with heterostyly promoting outcrossing, alongside an inferior ovary.^[6] Prominent examples are Pontederia crassipes (water hyacinth), notorious for its invasive floating mats, and Pontederia cordata, with its showy spikes of blue flowers in temperate wetlands.^[29]

Phylogeny and evolution

Phylogenetic relationships

The monophyly of Commelinales has been robustly supported by multi-locus molecular studies employing plastid genes such as rbcL and matK, along with nuclear phytochrome loci, which collectively resolve the order as a cohesive clade within the monocots.^[30] These analyses confirm the inclusion of five families—Commelinaceae, Haemodoraceae, Hanguanaceae, Philydraceae, and Pontederiaceae—all of which are monophyletic.^[2] Recent phylogenomic analyses using extensive nuclear (Angiosperms353 dataset with 353 loci) and plastid data (80 plastome markers plus extended plastid sequences including matK, rbcL, and trnL-trnF) have clarified inter-family relationships, placing Commelinaceae sister to Hanguanaceae with maximum support, while Haemodoraceae is sister to Pontederiaceae.^[2] The position of Philydraceae remains somewhat variable across datasets: it appears sister to the Hanguanaceae–Commelinaceae clade in nuclear and concatenated plastid trees (support ranging from 74% to 98% bootstrap), but sister to the Haemodoraceae–Pontederiaceae clade in extended plastid analyses (98% bootstrap).^[2] Overall, these topologies position Commelinales as sister to Zingiberales, together forming the core commelinid monocots alongside Arecales and Poales.^[2] Key molecular evidence supporting Commelinales includes shared plastid genome features, such as the loss of the rps16 intron, which characterizes the broader commelinid clade and contributes to phylogenetic resolution within the order.^[31] Additionally, specific indels in ndh genes (e.g., in ndhF, ndhD, and ndhH) provide informative characters for delimiting relationships among the families.^[32] Within Commelinaceae, the largest family, phylogenomic data support division into three subfamilies: Cartonematoideae (e.g., Cartonema), Triceratelloideae (e.g., Triceratella), and Commelinoideae, the latter encompassing tribes Commelineae (e.g., Commelina, Aneilema) and Tradescantieae (e.g., Tradescantia).^[2] Earlier classifications recognized up to five subfamilies, including Tradescantioideae, but recent analyses consolidate these based on molecular evidence, emphasizing monophyly of major lineages like Commelinoideae.^[2]

Fossil record and diversification

Molecular clock estimates indicate that the order Commelinales originated in the Late Cretaceous, with a stem age of approximately 114 million years ago (Ma) and a crown age around 110 Ma, based on plastid phylogenomic analyses calibrated with multiple fossils across monocots.^[33] These estimates align with broader rbcL sequence-based dating, placing the crown-group diversification of Commelinales at about 110 Ma during the Early Cretaceous, though some studies suggest a slightly broader range for the order's initial divergence between 123 and 73 Ma. This timing coincides with the major radiation of angiosperms in the Cretaceous, during which commelinids, including Commelinales, underwent significant lineage splitting amid the global expansion of flowering plants.^[33] The fossil record of Commelinales is notably sparse, providing limited direct evidence for its early history. Definitive macrofossils appear later in the Eocene, such as commelinid-like seeds from the early Eocene London Clay Formation in the UK (Cantisolanum daturoides), exhibiting characteristic monocot features like a single-layer testa and differentiated micropyle, though these do not push back the minimum age beyond the Late Cretaceous.^[34] Diversification within Commelinales was driven by adaptations to humid, tropical environments, with many lineages evolving specialized traits for wet habitats that facilitated their radiation during the angiosperm boom. A notable evolutionary shift occurred in Pontederiaceae, where ancestral terrestrial habits transitioned to fully aquatic lifestyles, involving modifications in floral and vegetative structures to cope with fluctuating water levels and submersion.^[29] Post-Cretaceous expansions were linked to the ongoing breakup of Gondwana, with ancestral Commelinaceae emerging in the Australian region around 105 Ma and subsequent intercontinental dispersals from 81 to 32 Ma enabling spread across tropical Old and New World regions. Recent plastome-based analyses (as of 2025) corroborate these East Gondwanan origins for Commelinaceae, estimating divergence from other monocots around 105 Ma.^[35]

Distribution and ecology

Global distribution

The order Commelinales exhibits a predominantly pantropical distribution, with the majority of its approximately 920 species occurring in tropical regions of the Old World (Africa and Asia) and New World (the Americas), and extending into subtropical zones.^[2] The order is characterized by a tropical to subtropical range, with families distributed across both hemispheres.^[36] Highest species diversity is concentrated in biodiversity hotspots such as Brazil in the Neotropics and Indonesia in Southeast Asia, where environmental conditions support rich assemblages of Commelinaceae and Pontederiaceae.^[29]^[37] Among constituent families, Commelinaceae, the largest with about 749 species, is pantropical and subtropical, spanning tropical Africa, Asia, and the Americas, but absent from Europe.^[18] Haemodoraceae, comprising ~120 species, is primarily southern in distribution, occurring in Australia, South Africa, New Guinea, and the Americas from the southeastern United States to tropical South America.^[21]^[38] Hanguanaceae (~20 species) is restricted to Southeast Asia, ranging from Sri Lanka and Myanmar to northern Australia.^[39]^[2] Philydraceae, with six species, is centered in Australasia, extending to Southeast Asia and Japan.^[40] Pontederiaceae, 41 species, is pantropical with a center in the Americas and Africa, reaching into subtropical and temperate zones.^[29]^[6]^[2] Some Commelinaceae species have been introduced to temperate regions, including North America and Europe, where they persist as annuals or short-lived perennials, such as Commelina benghalensis in the United States.^[41] High endemism is notable in Haemodoraceae, with approximately 80% of its Australian species (around 90 out of 117) endemic to southwestern Western Australia.^[42] This pattern underscores the order's Gondwanan origins and subsequent diversification in isolated southern landmasses.^[3] While global distribution highlights tropical dominance, some species occupy varied habitats from wetlands to dry sands, influencing their ecological roles.^[43]

Habitat preferences and ecological roles

Plants in the order Commelinales primarily inhabit tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with a strong preference for moist environments such as wetlands, marshes, rainforests, and grasslands.^[44] Members of the Commelinaceae family are typically terrestrial, occurring in diverse settings including disturbed open areas, roadsides, and seasonally wet habitats across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.^[45] In contrast, the Pontederiaceae family specializes in aquatic niches, thriving as emergent or free-floating herbs in slow-moving or stagnant waters like ponds, ditches, and rivers.^[44] Haemodoraceae species favor seasonally wet, sandy or peaty soils in savannas, woodlands, and coastal plain ponds, particularly in southern Australia, South Africa, and the Americas.^[46] Adaptations to these habitats vary across families but often enhance survival in fluctuating moisture levels. Some Commelinaceae exhibit succulent stems and glandular microhairs that aid water retention and protection in drought-prone, open environments.^[45] Aquatic Pontederiaceae display root dimorphism, with extensive fibrous roots facilitating nutrient absorption in waterlogged conditions, alongside swollen petioles for buoyancy.^[44] Brightly colored, ephemeral flowers in many Commelinales, including blue or vibrant hues in Commelinaceae and Haemodoraceae, attract pollinators while minimizing exposure in shaded understories or sunny grasslands.^[47] Ecologically, Commelinales contribute to biodiversity through key interactions and ecosystem services. Their flowers provide pollen and nectar resources for insects, including honeybees and stingless bees in Commelinaceae, supporting pollination networks in tropical habitats. In aquatic systems, Pontederiaceae like Eichhornia species offer habitat structure via dense root mats, sheltering invertebrates, small fish, and other fauna, though this can intensify in invasive contexts.^[44] Rhizomatous growth in Haemodoraceae helps stabilize sandy soils in wet prairies and savannas, preventing erosion and aiding nutrient cycling.^[46] Seed dispersal mechanisms include water transport for aquatics and ballistic or wind-aided release in terrestrials, facilitating range expansion.^[29] Despite these roles, some Commelinales pose ecological threats as invasives. Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) in Pontederiaceae forms expansive mats that clog waterways, reduce light penetration and dissolved oxygen levels, outcompete native vegetation, and diminish aquatic biodiversity in tropical rivers and lakes.^[48] These invasions disrupt fish habitats, promote sedimentation, and exacerbate eutrophication, altering entire ecosystem dynamics.^[48]

Human significance

Economic and ornamental uses

Plants in the order Commelinales have significant ornamental value, particularly within the families Commelinaceae, Haemodoraceae, and Pontederiaceae. Species of Tradescantia in Commelinaceae, such as Tradescantia zebrina and Tradescantia pallida, are widely cultivated as houseplants and ground covers due to their trailing growth, vibrant foliage in shades of purple, green, and silver, and tolerance for low light conditions.^[49] These plants are also used in hanging baskets and mixed containers for their cascading habit, making them popular in both indoor and outdoor settings in temperate and tropical regions.^[50] In Haemodoraceae, genera like Anigozanthos, known as kangaroo paws, are prized for their striking, tubular flowers in red, yellow, and orange, which resemble animal paws; they are commonly planted in garden borders, rockeries, and as potted specimens for their architectural form and nectar-rich blooms that attract pollinators.^[51]^[52] Pontederiaceae contributes with Pontederia cordata, or pickerelweed, which features spikes of blue-violet flowers and is utilized in water gardens and pond margins for its aesthetic appeal and role in enhancing aquatic landscapes.^[53]^[54] Several Commelinales species offer food and medicinal applications, primarily from Commelinaceae and Haemodoraceae. In Africa, tubers and leaves of Commelina species, such as Commelina africana and Commelina benghalensis, are harvested as wild edibles, often cooked to provide a nutritious vegetable source in local diets, with the tubers offering a starchy component similar to potatoes.^[55]^[56] These plants also hold medicinal value, with Commelina diffusa leaves used traditionally for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in treating ailments like wounds and digestive issues.^[57] In Haemodoraceae, roots of Haemodorum coccineum are employed in traditional Aboriginal Australian medicine as an antiseptic for wounds and to treat snake bites, owing to their bioactive compounds.^[58] Agriculturally, members of Pontederiaceae, notably Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), serve as fodder for livestock including cattle, pigs, and poultry, providing a high-protein feed option in regions where it grows abundantly, though processing is often required to reduce moisture content.^[59] Historically, Indigenous Australians have utilized the red latex and pigments from Haemodorum roots to produce dyes in shades of red, brown, and purple for coloring fibers, baskets, and body adornments, a practice rooted in cultural traditions.^[58]^[60] The ornamental trade in select Commelinales species contributes to the broader global horticulture market, valued in billions annually, with Tradescantia and Anigozanthos featuring prominently in nursery sales and floristry.^[61]

Conservation and threats

Many species within Commelinales face significant threats from habitat loss, primarily driven by deforestation and wetland drainage for agriculture and urban development. For instance, in the Pantanal wetlands of South America, ongoing deforestation has drastically reduced habitats for Pontederiaceae species, exacerbating biodiversity decline in these flood-prone ecosystems. Similarly, urban expansion in southern Brazil threatens narrow endemics like Commelina catharinensis (Commelinaceae), which is confined to a single locality now impacted by illegal and legal land conversion. Climate change further compounds these pressures by altering wetland hydrology through increased drought frequency and shifting precipitation patterns, potentially disrupting the aquatic and semi-aquatic niches preferred by families such as Pontederiaceae and Philydraceae. Overcollection for the ornamental trade poses an additional risk to certain Commelinales species, particularly those with attractive foliage or flowers in genera like Tradescantia and Anigozanthos, though this threat is less documented compared to habitat destruction. In Australia, where Haemodoraceae diversity is concentrated, habitat fragmentation from mining and agriculture has led to population declines in several taxa. Some Commelinales species exhibit invasive potential, contributing to ecological and economic threats in non-native ranges. Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth, Pontederiaceae) is a notorious invader that forms dense mats clogging waterways, reducing oxygen levels, and altering nutrient cycles, with global management costs for invasive aquatic plants exceeding $32 billion USD from 1975 to 2020, of which water hyacinth is a primary contributor.^[62] Likewise, Commelina benghalensis (Commelinaceae) invades agricultural fields and natural areas in tropical regions, competing aggressively with crops and native vegetation. Conservation assessments indicate numerous threatened Commelinales species, with examples including Heteranthera yucatana (Pontederiaceae), assessed as Endangered due to its restricted distribution and habitat degradation in Mexico.^[63] In the Haemodoraceae, Australian endemics such as Conostylis rogeri (Vulnerable under Western Australian legislation) and Conostylis misera (Endangered under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) require recovery planning to address declines from land clearing.^[64]^[65] Small families like Hanguanaceae harbor multiple threatened taxa, such as Hanguana thailandica and Hanguana neglecta, both assessed as Endangered due to peat swamp habitat loss in Southeast Asia.^[66]^[67] Conservation efforts for Commelinales emphasize protected areas in tropical and subtropical hotspots, where reserves safeguard wetland and understory habitats critical for families like Commelinaceae and Pontederiaceae. In Australia, recovery plans for threatened Haemodoraceae species, including Anigozanthos viridis subsp. terraspectans, incorporate ex situ propagation via tissue culture to bolster wild populations.^[68] Although few Commelinales species are currently listed under CITES, broader initiatives focus on sustainable breeding programs for native ornamentals to reduce collection pressures. Research gaps persist, particularly in understudied families like Hanguanaceae, where recent discoveries of new, highly threatened species highlight the need for expanded surveys and genetic studies to inform targeted protection.

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Haemodoraceae | plant family - Britannica
Haemodoraceae, or the bloodwort family (116 species), includes the kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos) native to Australia, with other members of the family found ...Missing: POWO | Show results with:POWO
[20]
Haemodoraceae - FNA - Flora of North America
Nov 5, 2020 · Herbs, perennial or rarely annual, rhizomatous, often stoloniferous; sap often red or orange. Stems simple. Leaves mostly basal, distichous, irislike.Missing: traits | Show results with:traits
[21]
Haemodoraceae - Families of Flowering Plants of Australia
Haemodoraceae are perennial herbs with grass-like leaves, found in heath communities, with 6 perianth parts, and an inferior ovary developing into a capsular ...Missing: distinguishing traits
[22]
[PDF] Hanguana thailandica (Hanguanaceae) - Phytotaxa
Oct 19, 2016 · however, the new species is different from H. nitens in having solitary stems instead of forming large rhizotomous colonies, and from both H.Missing: distinguishing traits
[23]
Hanguana malayana (Jack) Merr. | Plants of the World Online
Studies on Hanguana (Commelinales, Hanguanaceae) for Sunda II: Five new forest species from Penunsular Malaysia and recircumscription of Hanguana malayana.
[24]
Family PHILYDRACEAE - PlantNET - FloraOnline
Distribution and occurrence: World: 3 genera, 6 species, Australia to South-East Asia, Japan. Australia: 2 genera, 5 species, all mainland States except S.A.
[25]
Philydrum Banks & Sol. ex Gaertn. | Plants of the World Online
The native range of this genus is S. China to Japan and Peninsula Malaysia, New Guinea to N. & E. Australia.
[26]
Total evidence phylogeny of Pontederiaceae (Commelinales) sheds ...
Aug 29, 2018 · Out of the reproductive synapomorphies recovered by us for Pontederiaceae, some of them seem to be related to pollination, while the others seem ...
[27]
Phylogenetic relationships in the monocot order Commelinales, with a focus on Philydraceae This paper is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Systematics Research.
### Summary of Commelinales Phylogeny from https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/b08-063
[28]
Plastid genomes reveal support for deep phylogenetic relationships ...
Sep 9, 2015 · ... Commelinales (five families including dayflowers and relatives) ... Phylogeny of the palm family (Arecaceae) based on rps16 intron and trnL-trnF ...
[29]
Plastid genomes and deep relationships among the commelinid ...
Aug 17, 2012 · A total of 68 unambiguous, informative indels were coded for the set of plastid genes other than ycf1 and ycf2. Excluding the latter two genes ...
[30]
Monocot plastid phylogenomics, timeline, net rates of species ...
Oct 24, 2018 · We present the first plastome phylogeny encompassing all 77 monocot families, estimate branch support, and infer monocot-wide divergence times ...
[31]
A new commelinid monocot seed fossil from the early Eocene ...
Feb 12, 2018 · The earliest fossil evidence of Commelinales comes from the leaf and fruits fossils of Pollia Thunb. from Kenya from Middle Miocene (Jacobs ...
[32]
A Cretaceous origin for fire adaptations in the Cape flora - PMC
Oct 5, 2016 · Ancient range reconstruction indicated that the Haemodoraceae originated in southwestern Australia (SWA) 90 Ma (P = 0.69). The two subfamilies ...
[33]
Historical biogeography and plastome evolution of Commelinaceae ...
Apr 25, 2025 · Commelinaceae are a Pantropical monocot family comprising ca. 36 genera and 810 species. Due to the high morphological variation and limited ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[34]
Commelinales | Flowering Plants, Monocots & Aquatic Species
Commelinales, the spiderwort and pickerelweed order of flowering plants, comprising more than 800 species of mostly tropical and subtropical herbs in five ...
[35]
Pontederiaceae - FNA - Flora of North America
Nov 5, 2020 · 30 (4 genera, 11 species in the flora; 2 genera, 3 species introduced). ... The genera of Pontederiaceae in the southeastern United States.
[36]
Historical biogeography and plastome evolution of Commelinaceae ...
Apr 2, 2025 · Background Commelinaceae (Commelinales) comprise 41 genera and are widely distributed in both the Old and New Worlds, except in Europe. The ...
[37]
Haemodoraceae - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
This family includes approximately 13 genera and 100 species, predominantly found in seasonally wet habitats across various regions. AI generated definition ...
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Hanguanaceae | Fruit and Seed Family ID - IDtools
Taxonomy. Family name: Hanguanaceae Airy Shaw. Synonym(s): [none]. Common name(s): hanguana family. *Number of genera/species: 1/12.
[39]
Philydraceae | Flora of Australia - Profile collections
Feb 19, 2020 · A family of three genera and six species, with a centre of diversity in Australia where all genera and five species are represented.
[40]
Commelina benghalensis - Global Invasive Species Database
Apr 30, 2008 · Commelinales ... Commelina benghalensis grows as a perennial in tropical climates and as an annual in the temperate United States.
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Family HAEMODORACEAE - PlantNET NSW
Synonyms: Conostylidaceae APNI* ... 90 species endemic to SW W.A.). External links: Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Haemodoraceae, Order: Commelinales)<|control11|><|separator|>
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Historical biogeography and plastome evolution of Commelinaceae ...
Apr 25, 2025 · Commelinaceae Mirb. (Commelinales) are a monocot family comprising 36 genera and 810 species distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions ...
[43]
Haemodoraceae | Flora of Australia - Profile collections
Feb 19, 2020 · A family of 14 genera and c. 100 species distributed predominantly in Australia and South Africa, with a few representatives in Malaysia and the ...
[44]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128126288500079
[45]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012373972800022X
[46]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123743800500075
[47]
Invasive Water Hyacinth: Ecology, Impacts and Prospects for ... - PMC
Aug 6, 2021 · Water hyacinth (WH) is notorious for causing severe environmental degradation and being an economic burden to manage.
[48]
Tradescantia (Dayflower, Inch Plant, Spiderwort, Trinity Flower)
They may be used in perennial beds of native and pollinator gardens. Tropical forms can be used as houseplants and in hanging containers but should be avoided ...
[49]
Purple Heart, Tradescantia pallida - Wisconsin Horticulture
Purple heart can be used as a ground cover, cascading in baskets, as a trailer in mixed containers or as a houseplant. It is best used in masses for in-ground ...
[50]
Anigozanthos flavidus - Plant Finder - Missouri Botanical Garden
Anigozanthos flavidus, commonly called kangaroo paws, is native to the southwestern corner of Western Australia. It is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial.
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How to Grow and Care for Kangaroo Paw - The Spruce
Jul 19, 2024 · Anigozanthos spp. Family, Haemodoraceae. Plant Type, Perennial, rhizome. Mature Size, 3-6 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide. Sun Exposure, Full, partial.
[52]
Pickerel Weed - UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
Pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata) ... The aggressive growth habit of these plants helps stabilize the banks of natural water bodies and retention ponds.Missing: Pontederiaceae | Show results with:Pontederiaceae
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Pontederia cordata (Pickerelweed, Pickerel Weed) - Plant Toolbox
This plant is resistant to browsing by deer and is tolerant of heat. Use this plant along bogs, ponds, or streams. It can also be grown in a large container or ...Missing: ornamental | Show results with:ornamental
[54]
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pontederia-cordata/
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Commelina benghalensis | PlantZAfrica - SANBI
It is used to treat infertility, burns, sore throats, sore eyes, dysentery, rashes and leprosy. The mucilage from the flowering parts is used to treat infants' ...
[56]
Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Commelina erecta
Jan 1, 2023 · Commelina erecta is a wild edible plant (WEP) traditionally used as food and medicine, about which few studies exist.<|separator|>
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Differentiating Dyes: A Spectroscopic Investigation into the ... - NIH
Nov 3, 2023 · The highly coloured H. coccineum is used by communities in Larrakia country for dyeing garments and occasionally to treat snake bites.
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Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) - Feedipedia
Water hyacinth can be used as a vegetable, fodder, green manure, compost and mulch for soil improvement. Much research has been devoted to its use as a feed ...
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[PDF] Anatomy of the Laminar Organs of Commelina erecta ...
Abstract - A study was undertaken to compare the anatomy of the laminar floral parts with that of the spathes and leaves of Commelina erecta L. Each flower ...
[60]
Haemodorum coccineum (Scarlet-flowered Bloodroot)
Haemodorum coccineum is a perennial woodland herb with strap-like leaves, deep-red or orange-red flowers, and is traditionally used as dye. It is suitable for ...Missing: latex | Show results with:latex
[61]
Flower and Ornamental Plants Market Trends | Report [2033]
Oct 20, 2025 · Global Flower and Ornamental Plants market size is forecasted to be worth USD 60726.03 million in 2024, expected to achieve USD 104659.13 ...