The APG IV system of flowering plant classification is the fourth version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy for flowering plants (angiosperms) being developed by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG). It was published in 2016, seven years after its predecessor the APG III system was published in 2009, and 18 years after the first APG system was published in 1998. In 2009, a linear arrangement of the system was published separately; the APG IV paper includes such an arrangement, cross-referenced to the 2009 one.
Compared to the APG III system, the APG IV system recognizes five new orders (Boraginales, Dilleniales, Icacinales, Metteniusales and Vahliales), along with some new families, making a total of 64 angiosperm orders and 416 families. In general, the authors describe their philosophy as "conservative", based on making changes from APG III only where "a well-supported need" has been demonstrated. This has sometimes resulted in placements that are not compatible with published studies, but where further research is needed before the classification can be changed.
Key to symbols used:
* = the family has been added or its circumscription changed since the APG III system of 2009† = the order has been added since the APG III system
Amborellales Melikyan et al.Amborellaceae Pichon, nom. cons.Nymphaeales Salisb. ex Bercht. & J.PreslHydatellaceae U.HamannCabombaceae Rich. ex A.Rich., nom. cons.Nymphaeaceae Salisb., nom. cons.Austrobaileyales Takht. ex RevealAustrobaileyaceae Croizat, nom. cons.Trimeniaceae Gibbs, nom. cons.Schisandraceae Blume, nom. cons.Canellales Cronq.Canellaceae Mart., nom. cons.Winteraceae R.Br. ex Lindl., nom. cons.Piperales Bercht. & J.PreslSaururaceae Rich. ex T.Lestib., nom. cons.Piperaceae Giseke, nom. cons.Aristolochiaceae Juss., nom. cons. * (including Asaraceae Vent., Hydnoraceae C.Agardh, nom. cons., Lactoridaceae Engl., nom. cons.)Magnoliales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslMyristicaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Magnoliaceae Juss., nom. cons.Degeneriaceae I.W.Bailey & A.C.Sm., nom. cons.Himantandraceae Diels, nom. cons.Eupomatiaceae Orb., nom. cons.Annonaceae Juss., nom. cons.Laurales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslCalycanthaceae Lindl., nom. cons.Siparunaceae SchoddeGomortegaceae Reiche, nom. cons.Atherospermataceae R.Br.Hernandiaceae Blume, nom. cons.Monimiaceae Juss., nom. cons.Lauraceae Juss., nom. cons.Chloranthales Mart.Chloranthaceae R.Br. ex Sims, nom. cons.Acorales Mart.Acoraceae MartinovAlismatales R.Br. ex Bercht. & J.PreslAraceae Juss., nom. cons.Tofieldiaceae Takht.Alismataceae Vent., nom. cons.Butomaceae Mirb., nom. cons.Hydrocharitaceae Juss., nom. cons.Scheuchzeriaceae F.Rudolphi, nom. cons.Aponogetonaceae Planch., nom. cons.Juncaginaceae Rich., nom. cons. *Maundiaceae Nakai *Zosteraceae Dumort., nom. cons.Potamogetonaceae Bercht. & J.Presl, nom. consPosidoniaceae Vines, nom. cons.Ruppiaceae Horan., nom. cons.Cymodoceaceae Vines, nom. cons.Petrosaviales Takht.Petrosaviaceae Hutch., nom. cons.Dioscoreales Mart.Nartheciaceae Fr. ex BjurzonBurmanniaceae Blume, nom. cons. (not monophyletic.)Dioscoreaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Pandanales R.Br. ex Bercht. & J.PreslTriuridaceae Gardner, nom. cons.Velloziaceae J.Agardh, nom. cons.Stemonaceae Caruel, nom. cons.Cyclanthaceae Poit. ex A.Rich., nom. cons.Pandanaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Liliales PerlebCampynemataceae Dumort.Corsiaceae Becc., nom. cons.Melanthiaceae Batsch ex Borkh., nom. cons.Petermanniaceae Hutch, nom. cons.Alstroemeriaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Colchicaceae DC., nom. cons.Philesiaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Ripogonaceae Conran & CliffordSmilacaceae Vent., nom. cons.Liliaceae Juss., nom. cons.Asparagales LinkOrchidaceae Juss., nom. cons.Boryaceae M.W.Chase et al.Blandfordiaceae R.Dahlgren & CliffordAsteliaceae Dumort.Lanariaceae H.Huber ex R.DahlgrenHypoxidaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Doryanthaceae R.Dahlgren & CliffordIxioliriaceae Nakai (as 'Ixiolirionaceae'; spelling corrected)Tecophilaeaceae Leyb., nom. cons.Iridaceae Juss., nom. cons.Xeronemataceae M.W.Chase et al.Asphodelaceae Juss., nom. cons. prop. (including Xanthorrhoeaceae Dumort., nom. cons.)Amaryllidaceae J.St.-Hil., nom. cons.Asparagaceae Juss., nom. cons.Arecales BromheadDasypogonaceae Dumort.Arecaceae Bercht. & J.Presl, nom. cons. (=Palmae Juss., nom. cons.)Commelinales Mirb. ex Bercht. & J.PreslHanguanaceae Airy ShawCommelinaceae Mirb., nom. cons.Philydraceae Link, nom. cons.Pontederiaceae Kunth, nom. cons.Haemodoraceae R.Br., nom. cons.Zingiberales Griseb.Strelitziaceae Hutch., nom. cons.Lowiaceae Ridl., nom. cons.Heliconiaceae VinesMusaceae Juss., nom. cons.Cannaceae Juss., nom. cons.Marantaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Costaceae NakaiZingiberaceae Martinov, nom. cons.Poales SmallTyphaceae Juss., nom. cons.Bromeliaceae Juss., nom. cons.Rapateaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Xyridaceae C.Agardh, nom. cons.Eriocaulaceae Martinov, nom. cons.Mayacaceae Kunth, nom. cons.Thurniaceae Engl., nom. cons.Juncaceae Juss., nom. cons.Cyperaceae Juss., nom. cons.Restionaceae R.Br., nom. cons. * (including Anarthriaceae D.W.Cutler & Airy Shaw, Centrolepidaceae Endl., nom. cons.)Flagellariaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Joinvilleaceae Toml. & A.C.Sm.Ecdeiocoleaceae D.W.Cutler & Airy ShawPoaceae Barnhart, nom. cons. (= Gramineae Juss., nom. cons.)Ceratophyllales LinkCeratophyllaceae Gray, nom. cons.Ranunculales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslEupteleaceae K.Wilh., nom. cons.Papaveraceae Juss., nom. cons.Circaeasteraceae Hutch., nom. cons.Lardizabalaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Menispermaceae Juss., nom. cons.Berberidaceae Juss., nom. cons.Ranunculaceae Juss., nom. cons.Proteales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslSabiaceae Blume, nom. cons.Nelumbonaceae A.Rich., nom. cons.Platanaceae T.Lestib., nom. cons.Proteaceae Juss., nom. cons.Trochodendrales Takht. ex Cronq.Trochodendraceae Eichler, nom. cons.Buxales Takht. ex RevealBuxaceae Dumort., nom. cons. * (including Haptanthaceae C.Nelson)Gunnerales Takht. ex RevealMyrothamnaceae Nied., nom. cons.Gunneraceae Meisn., nom. cons.Dilleniales DC. ex Bercht. & J.Presl †Dilleniaceae Salisb., nom. cons.Saxifragales Bercht. & J.PreslPeridiscaceae Kuhlm., nom. cons.Paeoniaceae Raf., nom. cons.Altingiaceae Lindl., nom. cons.Hamamelidaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Cercidiphyllaceae Engl., nom. cons.Daphniphyllaceae Müll.Arg., nom. cons.Iteaceae J.Agardh, nom. cons.Grossulariaceae DC., nom. cons.Saxifragaceae Juss., nom. cons.Crassulaceae J.St.-Hil., nom. cons.Aphanopetalaceae DoweldTetracarpaeaceae NakaiPenthoraceae Rydb. ex Britton, nom. cons.Haloragaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Cynomoriaceae Endl. ex Lindl., nom. cons.Vitales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslVitaceae Juss., nom. cons.Zygophyllales LinkKrameriaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Zygophyllaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Fabales BromheadQuillajaceae D.DonFabaceae Lindl., nom. cons. (= Leguminosae Juss., nom. cons.)Surianaceae Arn., nom. cons.Polygalaceae Hoffmanns. & Link, nom. cons.Rosales Bercht. & J.PreslRosaceae Juss., nom. cons.Barbeyaceae Rendle, nom. cons.Dirachmaceae Hutch.Elaeagnaceae Juss., nom. cons.Rhamnaceae Juss., nom. cons.Ulmaceae Mirb., nom. cons.Cannabaceae Martinov, nom. cons.Moraceae Gaudich., nom. cons.Urticaceae Juss., nom. cons.Fagales Engl.Nothofagaceae Kuprian.Fagaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Myricaceae Rich. ex Kunth, nom. cons.Juglandaceae DC. ex Perleb, nom. cons.Casuarinaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Ticodendraceae Gomez-Laur. & L.D.GomezBetulaceae Gray, nom. cons.Cucurbitales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslApodanthaceae Tiegh. ex Takht. *Anisophylleaceae Ridl.Corynocarpaceae Engl., nom. cons.Coriariaceae DC., nom. cons.Cucurbitaceae Juss., nom. cons.Tetramelaceae Airy ShawDatiscaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Begoniaceae C.Agardh, nom. cons.Celastrales LinkLepidobotryaceae J.L eonard, nom. cons.Celastraceae R.Br., nom. cons.Oxalidales Bercht. & J.PreslHuaceae A.Chev.Connaraceae R.Br., nom. cons.Oxalidaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Cunoniaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Elaeocarpaceae Juss., nom. cons.Cephalotaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Brunelliaceae Engl., nom. cons.Malpighiales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslPandaceae Engl. & Gilg, nom. cons.Irvingiaceae Exell & Mendonça, nom. cons. * (including Allantospermum Forman)Ctenolophonaceae Exell & MendonçaRhizophoraceae Pers., nom. cons.Erythroxylaceae Kunth, nom. cons.Ochnaceae DC., nom. cons.Bonnetiaceae L.Beauvis. ex NakaiClusiaceae Lindl., nom. cons. (= Guttiferae Juss., nom. cons.)Calophyllaceae J.AgardhPodostemaceae Rich. ex Kunth, nom. cons.Hypericaceae Juss., nom. cons.Caryocaraceae Voigt, nom. cons.Lophopyxidaceae H.Pfeiff.Putranjivaceae Meisn.Centroplacaceae Doweld & RevealElatinaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Malpighiaceae Juss., nom. cons.Balanopaceae Benth. & Hook.f., nom. cons.Trigoniaceae A.Juss., nom. cons.Dichapetalaceae Baill., nom. cons.Euphroniaceae Marc.-BertiChrysobalanaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Humiriaceae A.Juss., nom. cons.Achariaceae Harms, nom. cons.Violaceae Batsch, nom. cons.Goupiaceae MiersPassifloraceae Juss. ex Roussel, nom. cons.Lacistemataceae Mart., nom. cons.Salicaceae Mirb., nom. cons.Peraceae Klotzsch *Rafflesiaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Euphorbiaceae Juss., nom. cons. *Linaceae DC. ex Perleb, nom. cons.Ixonanthaceae Planch. ex Miq., nom. cons. *Picrodendraceae Small, nom. cons.Phyllanthaceae Martinov, nom. cons.Geraniales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslGeraniaceae Juss., nom. cons.Francoaceae A.Juss., nom. cons. * (including Bersamaceae Doweld, Greyiaceae Hutch., nom. cons., Ledocarpaceae Meyen, Melianthaceae Horan., nom. cons., Rhynchothecaceae A.Juss., Vivianiaceae Klotzsch, nom. cons.)Myrtales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslCombretaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Lythraceae J.St.-Hil., nom. cons.Onagraceae Juss., nom. cons.Vochysiaceae A.St.-Hil., nom. cons.Myrtaceae Juss., nom. cons.Melastomataceae Juss., nom. cons.Crypteroniaceae A.DC., nom. cons.Alzateaceae S.A.GrahamPenaeaceae Sweet ex Guill., nom. cons.Crossosomatales Takht. ex RevealAphloiaceae Takht.Geissolomataceae A.DC., nom. cons.Strasburgeriaceae Tiegh., nom. cons.Staphyleaceae Martinov, nom. cons.Guamatelaceae S.H.Oh & D.PotterStachyuraceae J.Agardh, nom. cons.Crossosomataceae Engl., nom. cons.Picramniales DoweldPicramniaceae Fernando & QuinnHuerteales DoweldGerrardinaceae M.H.AlfordPetenaeaceae Christenh. et al. *Tapisciaceae Takht.Dipentodontaceae Merr., nom. cons.Sapindales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslBiebersteiniaceae Schnizl.Nitrariaceae Lindl.Kirkiaceae Takht.Burseraceae Kunth, nom. cons.Anacardiaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Sapindaceae Juss., nom. cons. (including Xanthocerataceae Buerki et al., as 'Xanthoceraceae')Rutaceae Juss., nom. cons.Simaroubaceae DC., nom. cons.Meliaceae Juss., nom. cons.Malvales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslCytinaceae A.Rich.Muntingiaceae C.Bayer et al.Neuradaceae Kostel., nom. cons.Malvaceae Juss., nom. cons.Sphaerosepalaceae BullockThymelaeaceae Juss., nom. cons.Bixaceae Kunth, nom. cons.Cistaceae Juss., nom. cons. * (including Pakaraimaea Maguire & P.S.Ashton)Sarcolaenaceae Caruel, nom. cons.Dipterocarpaceae Blume, nom. cons. *Brassicales BromheadAkaniaceae Stapf, nom. cons.Tropaeolaceae Juss. ex DC., nom. cons.Moringaceae Martinov, nom. cons.Caricaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Limnanthaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Setchellanthaceae IltisKoeberliniaceae Engl., nom. cons.Bataceae Mart. ex Perleb, nom. cons.Salvadoraceae Lindl., nom. cons.Emblingiaceae Airy ShawTovariaceae Pax, nom. cons.Pentadiplandraceae Hutch. & DalzielGyrostemonaceae A.Juss., nom. cons.Resedaceae Martinov, nom. cons. * (including Borthwickiaceae J.X.Su et al., Stixidaceae Doweld as 'Stixaceae', Forchhammeria Liebm.)Capparaceae Juss., nom. cons. *Cleomaceae Bercht. & J.PreslBrassicaceae Burnett, nom. cons. (= Cruciferae Juss., nom. cons.)Berberidopsidales DoweldAextoxicaceae Engl. & Gilg, nom. cons.Berberidopsidaceae Takht.Santalales R.Br. ex Bercht. & J.PreslOlacaceae R.Br., nom. cons. (not monophyletic; including Aptandraceae Miers, Coulaceae Tiegh., Erythropalaceae Planch. ex Miq., nom. cons., Octoknemaceae Soler. nom. cons., Strombosiaceae Tiegh., Ximeniaceae Horan.)Opiliaceae Valeton, nom. cons.Balanophoraceae Rich., nom. cons.Santalaceae R.Br., nom. cons. (not monophyletic if Balanophoraceae are embedded; including Amphorogynaceae Nickrent & Der, Cervantesiaceae Nickrent & Der, Comandraceae Nickrent & Der, Nanodeaceae Nickrent & Der, Thesiaceae Vest, Viscaceae Batsch)Misodendraceae J.Agardh, nom. cons.Schoepfiaceae BlumeLoranthaceae Juss., nom. cons.Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslFrankeniaceae Desv., nom. cons.Tamaricaceae Link, nom. cons.Plumbaginaceae Juss., nom. cons.Polygonaceae Juss., nom. cons.Droseraceae Salisb., nom. cons.Nepenthaceae Dumort, nom. cons.Drosophyllaceae Chrtek et al.Dioncophyllaceae Airy Shaw, nom. cons.Ancistrocladaceae Planch. ex Walp., nom. cons.Rhabdodendraceae PranceSimmondsiaceae Tiegh.Physenaceae Takht.Asteropeiaceae Takht. ex Reveal & HooglandMacarthuriaceae Christenh. *Microteaceae Schäferhoff & Borsch *Caryophyllaceae Juss., nom. cons.Achatocarpaceae Heimerl, nom. cons.Amaranthaceae Juss., nom. cons.Stegnospermataceae NakaiLimeaceae Shipunov ex Reveal *Lophiocarpaceae Doweld & RevealKewaceae Christenh. *Barbeuiaceae NakaiGisekiaceae NakaiAizoaceae Martinov, nom. cons.Phytolaccaceae R.Br., nom. cons. *Petiveriaceae C.Agardh * (including Rivinaceae C.Agardh)Sarcobataceae BehnkeNyctaginaceae Juss., nom. cons.Molluginaceae Bartl., nom. cons. *Montiaceae Raf.Didiereaceae Radlk., nom. cons.Basellaceae Raf., nom. cons.Halophytaceae S.SorianoTalinaceae DoweldPortulacaceae Juss., nom. cons.Anacampserotaceae Eggli & NyffelerCactaceae Juss., nom. cons.Cornales LinkNyssaceae Juss. ex Dumort., nom. cons.Hydrostachyaceae Engl., nom. cons.Hydrangeaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Loasaceae Juss., nom. cons.Curtisiaceae Takht.Grubbiaceae Endl. ex Meisn., nom. cons.Cornaceae Bercht. & J.Presl, nom. cons.Ericales Bercht. & J.PreslBalsaminaceae A.Rich., nom. cons.Marcgraviaceae Bercht. & J.Presl, nom. cons.Tetrameristaceae Hutch.Fouquieriaceae DC., nom. cons.Polemoniaceae Juss., nom. cons.Lecythidaceae A.Rich., nom. cons.Sladeniaceae Airy ShawPentaphylacaceae Engl., nom. cons.Sapotaceae Juss., nom. cons.Ebenaceae Gürke, nom. cons.Primulaceae Batsch ex Borkh., nom. cons.Theaceae Mirb., nom. cons.Symplocaceae Desf., nom. cons.Diapensiaceae Lindl., nom. cons.Styracaceae DC. & Spreng., nom. cons.Sarraceniaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Roridulaceae Martinov, nom. cons.Actinidiaceae Gilg & Werderm., nom. cons.Clethraceae Klotzsch, nom. cons.Cyrillaceae Lindl., nom. cons.Ericaceae Juss., nom. cons.Mitrastemonaceae Makino, nom. cons. (placement in order unclear)Icacinales Tiegh. †Oncothecaceae Kobuski ex Airy ShawIcacinaceae Miers, nom. cons. *Metteniusales Takht. †Metteniusaceae H.Karst. ex Schnizl. *Garryales Mart.Eucommiaceae Engl., nom. cons.Garryaceae Lindl., nom. cons.Gentianales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslRubiaceae Juss., nom. cons.Gentianaceae Juss., nom. cons.Loganiaceae R.Br. ex Mart., nom. cons.Gelsemiaceae L.Struwe & V.A.Albert * (including Pteleocarpaceae Brummitt)Apocynaceae Juss., nom. cons.Boraginales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl †Boraginaceae Juss., nom. cons. (including Codonaceae Weigend & Hilger)Vahliales Doweld †Vahliaceae DandySolanales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslConvolvulaceae Juss., nom. cons.Solanaceae Juss., nom. cons.Montiniaceae Nakai, nom. cons.Sphenocleaceae T.Baskerv., nom. cons.Hydroleaceae R.Br.Lamiales BromheadPlocospermataceae Hutch.Carlemanniaceae Airy ShawOleaceae Hoffmanns. & Link, nom. cons.Tetrachondraceae Wettst.Calceolariaceae OlmsteadGesneriaceae Rich. & Juss., nom. cons. * (the position of Peltanthera Benth. is problematic and here considered unplaced to family)Plantaginaceae Juss., nom. cons.Scrophulariaceae Juss., nom. cons.Stilbaceae Kunth, nom. cons.Linderniaceae Borsch et al.Byblidaceae Domin, nom. cons.Martyniaceae Horan., nom. cons.Pedaliaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Acanthaceae Juss., nom. cons.Bignoniaceae Juss., nom. cons.Lentibulariaceae Rich., nom. cons.Schlegeliaceae RevealThomandersiaceae Sreem.Verbenaceae J.St.Hil., nom. cons.Lamiaceae Martinov, nom. cons. (= Labiatae Juss., nom. cons.)Mazaceae RevealPhrymaceae Schauer, nom. cons. *Paulowniaceae NakaiOrobanchaceae Vent., nom. cons. * (including Lindenbergiaceae Doweld, Rehmanniaceae Reveal)Aquifoliales SenftStemonuraceae Kårehed
Cardiopteridaceae Blume, nom. cons.Phyllonomaceae SmallHelwingiaceae Decne.Aquifoliaceae Bercht. & J.Presl, nom. cons.Asterales LinkRousseaceae DC.Campanulaceae Juss., nom. cons.Pentaphragmataceae J.Agardh, nom. cons.Stylidiaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Alseuosmiaceae Airy ShawPhellinaceae Takht.Argophyllaceae Takht.Menyanthaceae Dumort., nom. cons.Goodeniaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Calyceraceae R.Br. ex Rich., nom. cons.Asteraceae Bercht. & J.Presl, nom. cons. (= Compositae Giseke, nom. cons.)Escalloniales LinkEscalloniaceae R.Br. ex Dumort., nom. cons.Bruniales Dumort.Columelliaceae D.Don, nom. cons.Bruniaceae R.Br. ex DC., nom. cons.Paracryphiales Takht. ex RevealParacryphiaceae Airy ShawDipsacales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.PreslAdoxaceae E.Mey., nom. cons. (= Viburnaceae Raf., nom. cons. prop.)Caprifoliaceae Juss., nom. cons.Apiales NakaiPennantiaceae J.AgardhTorricelliaceae HuGriseliniaceae Takht., nom. cons. prop.Pittosporaceae R.Br., nom. cons.Araliaceae Juss., nom. cons.Myodocarpaceae DoweldApiaceae Lindl., nom. cons. (= Umbelliferae Juss., nom. cons.)Like the earlier APG systems, the APG IV revision is based on a phylogenetic tree for the angiosperms, as shown below.