Which growth forms are most common among Gentianales plants?

Within the Gentianales order, trees, shrubs, and vines are considered the most characteristic growth forms, appearing more frequently than annual or perennial herbs.1

While these woody habits define the order's general profile, the growth forms vary significantly across its constituent families:

• Rubiaceae: This family consists of a diverse range of herbs, shrubs, and trees, which are primarily distributed in tropical regions.23
• Gentianaceae: Members of this family are mainly herbs or shrubs. While most are photosynthetic, some specialized tropical groups have lost their leaves and chlorophyll entirely, existing as small, non-photosynthetic herbs that rely on fungal associations.4

Overall, the order exhibits a wide variety of habits, though the prevalence of trees, shrubs, and vines remains a hallmark of the group.1