Editing Saxifragales (section)

== Description ==

The [[Order (biology)|order]] Saxifragales is extremely [[Morphology (biology)|morphologically]] [[biodiversity|diverse]] (hyper-diverse). It includes [[trees]] (e.g. [[witch hazel]], [[witch alder]] in [[Hamamelidaceae]]), fruit bearing [[shrubs]] (e.g. [[Ribes|currants]], [[gooseberries]] in [[Grossulariaceae]]), [[lianas]], [[Annual plant|annual]] and [[perennial herbs]], [[rock garden]] plants (e.g. [[saxifrage]] in [[Saxifragaceae]]), [[ornamental garden plants]] (e.g. [[peonies]] in [[Paeoniaceae]]), [[succulents]] (e.g. [[stonecrop]] in [[Crassulaceae]]) and [[Aquatic plant|aquatics]] (e.g. [[watermilfoil]] in [[Haloragaceae]]).{{sfn|Casas et al|2016}} The [[flowers]] demonstrate major variations in [[sepal]], [[petal]], [[stamen]], and  [[carpel]] number,  as well as [[Ovary (botany)|ovary]] position (''see'' [[#Biogeography and evolution|Biogeography and evolution]]).{{sfn|Soltis et al|2013}}{{sfn|Johansson |2013}}
{{multiple image | header = | align = center | direction = | total_width=500 | float = 
| image1 = Saxifraga cernua flower upernavik 2007-07-09 trimmed.jpg| caption1 = ''[[Saxifraga cernua]]'':<br/> [[Radial symmetry]]<br/>5 free [[petals]]| alt1 = Flower of Saxifraga cernua showing radial symmetry and free petals
| image2= Iceland Plants 4900.JPG| caption2= ''[[Paeonia lactiflora]]'':<br/>[[Follicle (fruit)|Follicular fruit]]  | alt2=Follicular fruit of Paeonia lactiflora
| image3= Saxifraga nivalis close-up trimmed upernavik 2007-07-02.jpg| caption3= ''[[Saxifraga nivalis]]'':<br/>Basifixed [[anthers]]|alt3=Flower of Saxifraga nivalis showing basifixed anthers
}}

This degree of diversity makes defining [[synapomorphy]] (derived common characteristics) for the group extremely difficult, the order being defined on the basis of molecular affinity rather than morphology. However, some characteristics that are prevalent (common traits) represent potential or putative synapomorphies based on ancestral states. These include [[flowers]] that are usually [[radially symmetric]] and [[petals]] that are free. The [[gynoecium]] (female reproductive part) generally consists of two [[carpels]] (ovary, style and stigma) that are free, at least toward the apex (partially fused bicarpellate gynoecium) and possess a [[hypanthium]] (cup shaped basal floral tube). In the [[androecium]] (male reproductive part), the stamen anthers are generally basifixed (attached at its base to the filament), sometimes dorsifixed (attached at centre) (''see {{harvtxt|Carlsward et al|2011}} Figure 2''). Other commonly occurring features are [[fruit]] that is generally [[Follicle (fruit)|follicular]] (formed from a single carpel), [[seeds]] with abundant [[endosperm]] surrounding the [[Embryo#Plant embryos|embryo]] and [[leaves]] with glandular [[Leaf#Edge (margin)|teeth at their margins]] (glandular dentate, ''see [[#Pmex|image]]''). Within the Saxifragales, while the families of the woody clade are primarily woody, the primarily [[herbaceous]] families of  Crassulaceae and Saxifragaceae exhibit woody features as a secondary transition.{{sfn|Soltis et al|2006}}{{sfn|Berry|2017}}{{sfn|Carlsward et al|2011}}