Amentiferae [TOP]

(or Amentaceae) is a historically significant but now largely obsolete botanical group of woody plants characterized by bearing catkins (aments). While once considered a natural evolutionary group, modern molecular phylogenetics has revealed it to be an artificial collection of unrelated families that independently evolved similar wind-pollination traits. Historical Classification and "Canonical" Families

: Most former Amentiferae (oaks, birches, walnuts) are now placed in the order Fagales , which is part of the Rosid I clade. amentiferae

The term was most influential in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly under the systems of botanists like Eichler. It typically included: : Birches and alders. Fagaceae : Oaks, beeches, and chestnuts. Juglandaceae : Walnuts and hickories. Salicaceae : Willows and poplars. Casuarinaceae : Beefwoods or she-oaks. Myricaceae : Bog myrtles. Key Biological Characteristics (or Amentaceae) is a historically significant but now

: Male flowers (and sometimes female) are borne in catkins —tassel-like, often pendulous spikes of reduced flowers. The term was most influential in the 19th

Members were grouped together based on a specific suite of reproductive features suited for wind pollination ():