Cyrillaceae

Cyrillaceae is a small family of flowering plants in the order Ericales, comprising two genera, Cyrilla and Cliftonia. The family is native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Americas, with species found in the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and parts of Central and South America. It is a relatively limited group in terms of species diversity.

Taxonomy and classification within Cyrillaceae have varied over time. Most modern systems recognize Cyrillaceae as a distinct family closely related to other Ericales lineages, with the two genera Cyrilla and Cliftonia forming its core. The exact number of species is small, commonly described as only a few across both genera.

Description of members of Cyrillaceae typically includes woody plants that are shrubs or small trees. Leaves are simple and alternate, often with a glossy appearance. Flowers are small and inconspicuous, produced in terminal or axillary clusters, and are usually white or pale in color. The fruit is a dry capsule that dehisces to release seeds.

Distribution and habitat encompass moist, acidic soils in wetlands, swamps, riverbanks, and bottomlands. Cyrilla and Cliftonia species are adapted to such habitats in the southeastern United States and surrounding regions, with ranges extending into parts of the Caribbean and Central America. These plants are generally not widely cultivated.

Ecology and conservation notes indicate insect pollination and local seed dispersal, often linked to hydrological dispersal in wet habitats. The family has no widespread agricultural use and is not broadly threatened, though some species with restricted ranges may be sensitive to habitat loss or degradation.