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Waterleaf Family
The Hydrophyllaceae is widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions, but is most diverse in dry habitats of western North America. The only economic importance of the family is as ornamentals (e.g., Phacelia, Nemophila).
The Hydrophyllaceae is probably part of the Boraginaceae, but more work on the systematics is necessary. Both groups are characterized by a coiled inflorescence (called a helicoid cyme), parietal placentation, and rough or bristly hairs, and preliminary molecular analyses suggest they belong in the same family.
The Hydrophyllaceae in our flora are all annual or perennial herbs, often rough-hairy, and the leaves are pinnately lobed or divided or entire. Inflorescences are loose or tight helicoid cymes, and in most species in our flora, the flowers are characterized by 5 long-exerted stamens.
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