Polygalales

(botany) An order of dicotyledonous plants in the subclass Rosidae characterized by its simple leaves and usually irregular, hypogynous flowers.

An order of flowering plants, division Magnoliophyta (Angiospermae), in the subclass Rosidae of the class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons). The order consists of 7 families and nearly 2300 species, mostly of tropical and subtropical regions. The vast majority of the species belong to only 3 families, the Malpighiaceae (about 1200 species), Polygalaceae (about 750 species), and Vochysiaceae (about 200 species). Within its subclass the order is distinguished by its simple leaves and usually irregular flowers, which have the perianth and stamens attached directly to the receptacle (hypogynous), and often have the anthers opening by terminal pores instead of longitudinal slits. The Barbados cherry (Malpighia glabra), noted for the high vitamin-C content of its fruits, is a well-known member of the Polygalales. See also Magnoliopsida; Plant kingdom; Rosidae.