Daphniphyllaceae

Daphniphyllaceae is a small family of flowering plants in the order Saxifragales. It contains a single genus, Daphniphyllum, which in turn comprises about 15 to 30 species depending on the taxonomic treatment. These plants are evergreen shrubs or small trees that are native to eastern Asia, ranging from the Himalayas and southern China to Japan and Taiwan, and extending south to New Guinea.

Species in the Daphniphyllaceae family are typically dioecious, meaning that individual plants have either male or female flowers. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, lacking petals and sepals, and are borne in axillary or terminal inflorescences. The fruit is a drupe, often with a single seed. The leaves are simple, alternate, and leathery, often with a glossy surface.

Daphniphyllaceae species are found in a variety of habitats, including tropical and subtropical forests, as well as montane regions. Some species are used in traditional medicine, and the wood of certain species has been used for timber. The family is of interest to botanists due to its unique phylogenetic position within the angiosperms and its relatively limited distribution. Current research focuses on its evolutionary relationships, biogeography, and the chemical constituents of its members.