Definition

Noun: 1. A family of flowering plants, the carpetweed family, characterized by succulent herbs or small shrubs. Members of this family are primarily found in South Africa, but also in New Zealand and North America. It includes plants commonly known as carpetweeds and fig marigolds (genus Mesembryanthemum).

Usage

• The term Tetragoniaceae is used in scientific and botanical contexts to classify and discuss this specific plant family.
• It is a proper noun, the formal taxonomic name for the family, and is typically capitalized.

Examples

• Botanists have reclassified some species from Tetragoniaceae into the family Aizoaceae.
• The Tetragoniaceae family includes the edible New Zealand spinach ().
• A key characteristic of many Tetragoniaceae is their succulent leaves.

Advanced Usage

• In modern taxonomic systems, many of the plants formerly placed in Tetragoniaceae are now included within the larger family Aizoaceae. Therefore, the name Tetragoniaceae may be found in older botanical literature.

Variants and Related Words

• Tetragonia (noun): The type genus of the family Tetragoniaceae.
• Aizoaceae (noun): The larger plant family (the iceplant family) which now commonly encompasses the plants once classified under Tetragoniaceae.

Synonyms

• Carpetweed family (common name)

Noun

1. succulent herbs or small shrubs mostly of South Africa but also New Zealand and North America: carpetweeds; fig marigolds