Which leaf traits are common among plants in the order Malpighiales?

The order Malpighiales is a large and diverse group of flowering plants that lacks a single, definitive set of morphological characters to define all its members. However, when considering leaf traits, two features are notably common across the order:1

• Toothed margins: Many plants within this order possess leaves with toothed margins.1
• Stipules: The presence of stipules—small, paired structures located at the base of the leaf—is a frequent characteristic.1

While these traits are common, there is significant variation among the families within the order. For example, members of the Malpighiaceae family typically feature opposite leaves that lack teeth, often accompanied by conspicuous glands on the leaf or petiole. In contrast, members of the Elatinaceae family generally have opposite, toothed leaves with small, thin stipules.2