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Why did the placement of Ericales among the asterids surprise botanists?
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Ericales
Flowering rhododendron.
The placement of Ericales within the asterids is considered surprising by botanists because the order appears morphologically generalized and unspecialized compared to other members of the asterid group.1
While the order is well-supported as a basal asterid by both molecular and morphological data, its characteristicsāsuch as having a superior ovary and stamens that are often borne free of the petalsācontrast with the more specialized features typically associated with the asterids.1