Saururaceae

plant family

Also known as: lizard’s-tail family

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July 13, 2026

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The Saururaceae, also known as the lizard's-tail family, is a family of perennial herbs belonging to the order Piperales. These plants are characterized by their small flowers, which lack a perianth (petals and sepals) and are arranged in terminal spikes. The ovary is composed of several separate carpels. The type genus for this family is Saururus, which features herbs with alternate, heart-shaped leaves and spikes of white flowers. The flowers typically have four to eight stamens and an ovary that develops into a capsule. The Saururaceae are found in moist environments.123

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Piperales
Families
Saururaceae, the lizard’s-tail family, is native to North America and Southeast Asia. It includes five genera and six species, most of them aromatic herbs with creeping rhizomes (horizontal stems). The plants generally inhabit wet areas.
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Saururaceae, the lizard’s-tail family, is native to North America and Southeast Asia. It includes five genera and six species, most of them aromatic herbs with creeping rhizomes (horizontal stems). The plants generally inhabit wet areas.
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magnoliid clade
Evolution
…Saururaceae, Piperaceae, and Aristolochiaceae (Piperales), but its reproductive organs resemble Chloranthaceae (Piperales). If the fossil had also contained the Clavatipollenites pollen, further links with Chloranthaceae and Aristolochiaceae would have been suggested. An ancestor of such a plant, with a small rhizomatous perennial form and diminutive reproductive organs, might represent…
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…Saururaceae, Piperaceae, and Aristolochiaceae (Piperales), but its reproductive organs resemble Chloranthaceae (Piperales). If the fossil had also contained the Clavatipollenites pollen, further links with Chloranthaceae and Aristolochiaceae would have been suggested. An ancestor of such a plant, with a small rhizomatous perennial form and diminutive reproductive organs, might represent…
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