Radulaceae

Summary

Radulaceae is a family of liverworts, and the only family in the order Radulales. The family comprises three genera: Radula, Cladoradula, and Dactyloradula, recognised as distinct following a 2022 taxonomic revision. Distinguishing features include bilobed leaves arranged in two rows, with the smaller lobe folded under the larger one, and rhizoids uniquely emerging from leaves rather than stems. The family lacks underleaves, which are common in other liverwort families. Fossil evidence from Burmese amber indicates the family had diversified by the Cretaceous period, approximately 98 million years ago, with molecular studies suggesting its divergence from related groups occurred during the Permian period.