This Order is named after the Italian physician Marcello Malpighi who is widely regarded as the father of microscopy and histology. It contains in excess of 1400 species. Malpighia is a tropical genus of fruiting shrubs and includes the Barbados Cherry or Acerola which is sold in health stores for its extremely high Vitamin C content.

It contains several odd bedfellows, including the families containing violets, euphorbias and flaxes.

 

Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’

Euphorbiaceae

  • Euphorbia

Botanical Style Photographs
Euphorbia in the Garden
Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae
Viola odorata

Viola odorata

Violaceae

Violets Compared

Did you know that the Violets share the Genus name Viola with a genus of Butterflies ? This doubling up happens a few times between animal and plant kingdoms. Smilax is another, shared between Sabre Tooth Cats and a Climber. Look under Crambe in Brassicales to see who Crambe crambe is.

Viola cornuta