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Capparaceae (Capparidaceae), or the Caper Family, as traditionally circumscribed is a family of flowering plants containing 28 genera and about 700 species of annual or perennial herbs, subshrubs, shrubs or trees, sometimes climbing, scrambling or rarely lianaceous of worldwide distribution. The family (sometimes spelled "Capparidaceae") is named for the genus Capparis.
Capparaceae have long been considered to be closely related to the mustard family, Brassicaceae, in part because both groups produce glucosinolate (mustard oil) compounds. Recent research (Hall et al. 2002) has demonstrated that Capparaceae as traditionally circumscribed are paraphyletic with respect to Brassicaceae, with Cleome and several related genera being more closely related to Brassicaceae than to other Capparaceae. Because of this, the two families are combined under the latter name in the APG II system, however it is recognized by several authors, like Kers in Kubitzki 2003, Takhtajan 1997, Shipunov 2005, and even more recently APG, through an update to APG II system as "Post-APG II family". [1]
Other recent classifications have continued to recognize Capparaceae but with a restricted circumscription, either by including Cleome and its relatives in the segregate family Cleomaceae, or by including these genera in Brassicaceae. Several other genera of the traditional Capparaceae are more closely related to other members of the Brassicales, and the relationships of several more remain unresolved (Hall et al. 2004).
Genera included in Kubitzki systemLast update: 2008-05-06 16:04:02 Capparaceae | Copyright 2008 HubHip.com