Eriocaulaceae

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Cladus: Commelinids
Ordo: Poales

Familia: Eriocaulaceae
Subfamiliae: Eriocauloideae – Paepalanthoideae
Genera: Comanthera – Eriocaulon – Leiothrix – Mesanthemum – Paepalanthus – Rondonanthus – Syngonanthus

Name

Eriocaulaceae Martinov, Tekhno-Bot. Slovar. 237 (1820), nom. cons.

Type genus: Eriocaulon L., Sp. Pl. 1: 87. (1753)

Note: Circumscription sensu Andrino et al. (2023), however, this has yet to be universally accepted, see the genera circumscriptions on POWO, World Flora and Hassler (2024).
References
Primary references

Martinov, I.I. (Мартыновъ, И.И.) 1820. Техно-ботаническiй словарь, на латинскомъ и россiйскомъ языкахъ, составленный […]. [Techno-Botanical Dictionary, in Latin and Russian, compiled by [...]]. i-vi, 682 p. St.-Petersburg: v tipografii Imperatorskoj Rossijskoj Akademii [Nauk] (Russian) DOI: 10.5962/bhl.title.96260 Google Books Open access Reference page.

Additional references

Andrade, M.J.G. de, Giulietti, A.M., Rapini, A., Queiroz, L.P. de, Conceição, A.de S., Almeida, P.R.M. & van den Berg, C. 2010. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Eriocaulaceae: Evidence from nuclear (ITS) and plastid (psbA-trnH and trnL-F) DNA sequences. Taxon 59(2): 379–388. DOI: 10.1002/tax.592004 JSTOR Reference page.
Andrino, C.O., Sano, P.T., Inglis, P.W., Hensold, N., Costa, F.N. & Simon, M.F. 2020. Phylogenetics of Paepalanthus (Eriocaulaceae), a diverse Neotropical monocot lineage. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 195(1): 34–52. DOI: 10.1093/botlinnean/boaa070 Paywall Reference page.
Echternacht, L., Trovó, M. & Sano, P.T. 2010. Rediscoveries in Eriocaulaceae: seven narrowly distributed taxa from the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Feddes Repertorium 121(3–4): 117–126. DOI: 10.1002/fedr.201000008 Paywall. Reference page.
Stützel, T. 1998. Eriocaulaceae. Flowering Plants. Monocotyledons: Alismatanae and Commelinanae (except Gramineae) 197-207.
Andrino, C.O, Costa, F.N., Simon, M.F., Missagia, R.V. & Sano, P.T. 2023. Eriocaulaceae: A new classification system based on morphological evolution and molecular evidence. Taxon 72(3): 515-549. DOI: 10.1002/tax.12915 Paywall ResearchGate Reference page.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Eriocaulaceae in Kew Science Plants of the World Online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2020 May 30. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2013. Eriocaulaceae. Published online. Accessed: 16 Sept. 2013. Reference page.
Tropicos.org 2013. Eriocaulaceae. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 16 Sept. 2013.

Vernacular names
català: Eriocaulàcies
čeština: Vlnohlávkovité
English: Pipewort family
한국어: 곡정초과
മലയാളം: എറിയോക്കോളേസീ
polski: Niedotrawowate
русский: Эриокаулоновые
svenska: Ullknappsväxter
ไทย: วงศ์กระดุมเงิน
Tiếng Việt: Họ Cỏ dùi trống
中文: 谷精草科

The Eriocaulaceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the order Poales, commonly known as the pipewort family. The family is large, with about 1207 known species described in seven genera.[3] They are widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group occurring in tropical regions, particularly the Americas. Very few species extend to temperate regions, with only 16 species in the United States, mostly in the southern states from California to Florida, only two species in Canada, and only one species (Eriocaulon aquaticum) in Europe. They tend to be associated with wet soils, many growing in shallow water. This is also reported from the southern part of India and the regions of Western Ghats hot spots.

The species are mostly herbaceous perennial plants, though some are annual plants; they resemble plants in the related families Cyperaceae (sedges) and Juncaceae (rushes), and like them, have rather small, wind-pollinated flowers grouped together in capitulum-like inflorescences.

Genera

Actinocephalus
Comanthera
Coracoralina
Cryptanthella
Eriocaulon - pipewort
Floralia
Giuliettia
Gnomus
Hydriade
Lachnocaulon - bogbutton
Leiothrix
Mesanthemum
Nisius
Paepalanthus
Rondonanthus
Syngonanthus
Tonina

The Eriocaulaceae Book

Eriocaulaceae are fascinating plants, especially popular in South America, where they shape iconic and typical landscapes with their unique beauty and captivating diversity.

In 2024, the book "The World of Eriocaulaceae: Everlastings, Pipeworts, and Golden Grass" (O mundo das Eriocaulaceae: sempre-vivas, chuveirinhos e capim-dourado), a bilingual work, was presented during the 74th Brazilian National Botany Congress. This book brings together the contributions of 16 researchers from various institutions around the world, organized into chapters that explore different aspects of the Eriocaulaceae family. Edited by experts Dr. Caroline Oliveira Andrino and Dr. Fabiana Nepomuceno da Costa, the work combines scientific rigor with accessible language, making it an engaging read for scientists, nature enthusiasts, and the general public alike.

In addition to offering detailed information on the diversity and distribution of these plants, the book also delves into the significant use of Eriocaulaceae by traditional communities. These cultural and ecological connections highlight the value of these plants not only to science but also to local ways of life. Filled with stunning photographs captured by attentive eyes and skilled lenses, the book provides a visual and informative journey through the landscapes that host these extraordinary plants, showcasing species from different parts of the world.
See also

Delia Abbiatti

References

Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2009). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 161 (2): 105–121. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x. hdl:10654/18083. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-25. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
"From: Curtis's botanical magazine; or flower garden displayed. London, 1832, volume 59 (plate 3126)". Archived from the original on 2006-10-23. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
Christenhusz, M. J. M.; Byng, J. W. (2016). "The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase". Phytotaxa. 261 (3). Magnolia Press: 201–217. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1.