Phylogenomic evidence reveals non‐monophyly of Paepalanthoideae (Eriocaulaceae) and challenges the broad concept of <i>Paepalanthus</i>

Abstract Eriocaulaceae is a pantropical family of approximately 1200 species across 18 genera, with its highest diversity in the Neotropical region. Traditionally, the family has been divided into two subfamilies, Eriocauloideae and Paepalanthoideae, based on floral traits. Here, we use target‐capture sequencing of nuclear markers to test the monophyly of these subfamilies. Using the Angiosperms353 probe set, we analyzed data from 30 species, generating new sequences for 24 species, representing eight genera of Eriocaulaceae. Phylogenetic analyses using ASTRAL‐III and a concatenated maximum likelihood approach recovered three major clades, revealing that Paepalanthoideae is non‐monophyletic. Monosperma , a Pantepui‐endemic lineage, recently elevated to generic status, emerged as the sister group to the rest of the family. Our findings suggest that the ancestral Eriocaulaceae flower had a single‐whorled androecium, contrary to previous hypotheses. Additionally, this study highlights the non‐monophyletic nature of the broad circumscription of Paepalanthus . These results challenge long‐held assumptions about the evolutionary relationships within Eriocaulaceae, providing critical insight into its subfamilial and generic classification, and call for further research into the evolutionary history of the family.