Stangeriaceae is the smallest family of the cycads, including only two extant genera, Stangeria and Bowenia.
Taxonomy
Although the family was first published by Schimper and Schenk[1] as Stangerieae, the name Stangeriaceae was used by Johnson(who was unaware of previous uses) to include only the genus Stangeria.[2] Later, Stevenson expanded the family to include Bowenia.[3][4] This decision was based on some shared characters (synapomorphies) such as the presence of fused vacularized stipules, the lack or irregular production of cataphylls, and a few other anatomical and morphological traits.[4] Later molecular[5][6][7] evidence suggested that the two genera of the Stangeriaceae belonged in different positions within the Zamiaceae, thus leading other authors to propose dissolving the family.[8]
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