Saxifragales - Definition and Overview

The Saxifragales are an order of dicotyledons, typically including the following families:

• Family Saxifragaceae (saxifrage family)
• Family Grossulariaceae (gooseberry family)
• Family Iteaceae
• Family Pterostemonaceae
• Family Haloragaceae (gunnera family)
• Family Penthoraceae
• Family Tetracarpaeaceae
• Family Aphanopetalaceae
• Family Crassulaceae (orpine family)
• Family Altingiaceae (sweet gum family)
• Family Paeoniaceae (peony)
• Family Hamamelidaceae (witch-hazel family)
• Family Daphniphyllaceae
• Family Cercidiphyllaceae
• Family Biblidaceae (carnivorous species)
• Family Cephalotaceae (carnivorous species)

Under the older Cronquist system, these families were divided among the orders Rosales, Hamamelidales, and Haloragales. However they appear to form a monophyletic group, related to the rosids and asterids.