This Order is named after the Italian physician Marcello Malpighi who is widely regarded as the father of microscopy and histology. It contains in excess of 1400 species. Malpighia is a tropical genus of fruiting shrubs and includes the Barbados Cherry or Acerola which is sold in health stores for its extremely high Vitamin C content.

It contains several odd bedfellows, including the families containing violets, euphorbias and flaxes.


Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’


  • Euphorbia

Botanical Style Photographs
Euphorbia in the Garden
Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae
Viola odorata

Viola odorata

Violets Compared

Did you know that the Violets share the Genus name Viola with a genus of Butterflies ? This doubling up happens a few times between animal and plant kingdoms. Smilax is another, shared between Sabre Tooth Cats and a Climber. Look under Crambe in Brassicales to see who Crambe crambe is.

Viola cornuta