Triuridaceae is a family of tropical and subtropical flowering plants, including nine genera with a total of ca 55 known species (Christenhusz & Byng 2016 ). All members lack chlorophyll and are mycoheterotrophic (obtain food by digesting intracellular fungi, often erroneously called 'saprophytes'). The heterotrophicphytic lifestyle of these plants has resulted in a loss of xylem vessels and stomata, and a reduction of leaves to scales. The flowers of Triuridaceae have tepals which are fused at the base and contain 10 to many free carpels.