An order of flowering plants comprising about 6,000 species in nine families, primarily shrubs and trees with a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and subtropical regions. Notable members include cacao (for chocolate), kola (a caffeine source), cotton, hibiscus, okra, baobab, and kapok, with some species valued for their wood like balsa and linden. Madagascar hosts three endemic families of Malvales, highlighting the order’s unique biodiversity.