Page "Cucurbitales" Paragraph 8

Half of the species know are in the great diverse Begonia group of Begoniaceae with 2 genera, and 1500 species.

Because of the lack of worldwide knowledge about the order in general, very little is known about the order diversity.

The knowledge of this order to national level, is that to be expected in countries with limited economic means with the vast majority of species indeterminate or even poorly determined.

Therefore an increase in the study of order, at national level, is of utmost importance for the progress of the systematics of the order in general.

The increase in the number of species is expected for the genera, bringing an expected considerable increase in the total number of species of the family.

Before DNA-molecular classifications, the species placed now in eight families of cucurbitales order, was assigned to orders as diverse as Ranunculales, Malpighiales, Violales, and Rafflesiales.

Early molecular studies revealed several surprises, such as the non-monophyly of the traditional Datiscaceae, including Tetrameles and Octomeles, but the exact relationships among the families remained unclear.