Taxonomic Studies on Family Euphorbiaceae Based on Some Morphological, Biochemical and Molecular Characteristics

Abstract

An informal group of scientists from multiple nations formed the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG), in which experts work together for the development of taxonomy of angiosperms.  The group took into account all new information about diverse plant species using a high steering phylogenetic investigation. The APG has developed four classification systems from 1998 through 2003 and 2009 up until 2016.  Since, the previously classified angiosperm species and their wild relatives were not fully based on monophyletic grouping, the classification has a lot of shortcoming and faults. According to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, the Phyllanthaceae of order Malpighiales is most important with Euphorbiaceae sensu lato as a pantropical family comprised of hundreds of genera and thousands of species. It has several physical characteristics which are the same as Euphorbiaceae sensu stricto. The most important characteristics include unisexual flowers and a syncarpous ovary. Further, the flowers have an axile-apical placentation without pistillode (rudimentary pistil).  In the Middle East region, the critical taxonomic review of six important genera from 10 taxa of sub-families Phyllanthaceae and Euphorbiaceae were studied for various characteristics using the latest nomenclature, type citation,  and keys for each genus and species. Euphorbia are very rich in natural plant products which have an incredible chemical composition and functional diversity. Compounds were found highly significant and have been the subject of extensive research globally. Further, the genetic composition of Euphorbia is diverse, maturing in various growth forms, cyathial features, and habitats. The molecular characterization of the family Euphorbiaceae also showed a diverse species composition. The members of the family Euphorbiaceae exhibit a palisadal exotegmen with cellular bundles in association with vascular bundles on inner integument as synapomorphies for several major clades. Within current studies on phylogeny and classification of Euphorbia subg. Esula are burning topics comprised of diverse species that make the genus most significant in the kingdom plantae..