Euphorbiales

Euphorbiales, in the classifications in force until a few years ago, was an order of angiosperm plants (Magnoliophyta division) and dicotyledons (Magnoliopsida class) that contained six families. Its members are classified in the order Malpighiales.

Unisexual flowers, achlamyd or monochlamyd, with a gynoecium of three welded and closed carpels, axial placentation, with 1-2 ovules. Phylogenetic relationships discussed until the application of new molecular techniques; Cronquist, related them to Celastrales or Sapindales, as they had a gynoecium with few carpels and few ovules, and also, due to the reduction of the perianth and unisexual flowers, included it in the subclass Rosidae. Thaktajan related it to Malvales (the plesiotypic (“primitive”) euphorbiaceae, which have developed corollas with stamens welded into a fascicle or tube, and fruits with carpels that separate at maturity) and therefore included them in the subclass Dilleniidae.

Families formerly included in Euphorbiales

• Buxaceae - 2 genera
• Daphniphyllaceae - 1 genus Daphniphyllum35 species. The family is classified in Saxifragales.
• Euphorbiaceae - 71 genera.
• Pandaceae - 4 genera, 28 species.
• Simmondsiaceae - 1 genus.
• Aextoxicaceae, assigned to euphorbial order in some ancient systems, is now classified in the Berberidopsidales.