Taxonomy and classification

Abstract

This chapter provides a description of all plant families and genera that include putative fully mycoheterotrophic species, excluding initial and partial mycoheterotrophs. The overview covers a total of 17 families, 101 genera, and ca. 880 species. For each family and genus (except for Orchidaceae) a short morphological description is provided followed by notes on taxonomy, distribution, evolution, and ecology. For most genera a line drawing of a representative species is provided. Included families are: Aneuraceae, Burmanniaceae, Corsiaceae, Ericaceae, Gentianaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Iridaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Ophioglossaceae, Orchidaceae, Petrosaviaceae, Podocarpaceae, Polygalaceae, Psilotaceae, Schizaeaceae, Thismiaceae, and Triuridaceae.