Convallariaceae

/ˌkɒnvəlɛəriˈeɪsiː/ noun

Definition

A plant family that includes lily of the valley and similar herbaceous flowering plants, characterized by simple leaves and small flowers.

Etymology

From the genus name 'Convallaria' plus the taxonomic suffix '-aceae,' which follows Linnaeus's system for naming plant families (like Rosaceae, Asteraceae, etc.).

Kelly Says

The Convallariaceae family was completely reorganized in the 1990s when DNA testing revealed that plants scientists thought were cousins weren't related at all—molecular biology rewrote the family tree overnight.

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