Dasypogonaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes around 20 species, mostly found in South America and South Africa. One interesting story about this family is that its scientific name, “Dasypogonaceae”, comes from the Greek words dasys, meaning “hairy”, and pogon, meaning “beard”. This name was given to the plants because their flowers often have long, hair-like filaments that give the appearance of a beard. In addition, some species in this family are used by indigenous people for medicinal purposes and in traditional rituals. This highlights the cultural significance and diversity of plant life around the world.
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Short Description
Dasypogonaceae is a family of flowering plants based on the type genus Dasypogon, one that has traditionally not been commonly recognized by taxonomists; the plants it contains were usually included in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae. If valid, Dasypogonaceae includes four genera with 16 species. The family is endemic to Australia. The best known representative is Kingia australis.
The 2016 APG IV system places the family in the order Arecales, after several studies revealed the family as a sister taxon to Arecaceae, the palm family. Other authors find that the placement of Dasypogonaceae remains undetermined, due to conflicting models, and leave it in an order of its own, the Dasypogonales.
The earlier APG III (2009), APG II (2003), and the 1998 APG system all accepted the validity of the family, assigning it to the clade commelinids, but leaving it unplaced as to order. The commelinids are monocots, the broad group to which, in any event, these plants clearly belong.
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