The smallest flowering plants adapted, via extreme reduction
(no stem, leaves, root), for occupation of surface water (maximum light,
minimum competition). This adaptive syndrome includes algal-like
vegetative reproduction via clonal 'budding' of the plant body or thalus
with sexual reproduction very rare. Linkage
between this family and the Araceae is similar to other family pairs
we have examined - Monotropaceae and Ericaceae (Ericales)
and Convolvulaceae and Cuscutaceae (Solanales) - in that
the affinity between the two families is clear and the smaller element
represents an extreme of trends that are evident among taxa of the larger.
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