Korokaceae

Korokaceae is a small family of flowering plants comprising four genera and roughly 18 described species. Named after the type genus Koroka, the family is distributed in the tropical and subtropical forests of the fictional Koroko archipelago, where it occupies a range of forest habitats from lowland to montane zones.

Members are woody plants, ranging from shrubs to small trees. Leaves are simple, alternate, and often evergreen, with margins that are either entire or finely serrate. Flowers are typically bisexual and actinomorphic, arranged in small inflorescences; petals are five in number, and the ovary is usually superior. Fruits are variable by genus, appearing as dry capsules or fleshy drupes, with seeds that often bear arils or other appendages to aid dispersal.

The four genera are Koroka, Luminor, Novara, and Vespera. Species exhibit modest variation in habit and fruit type, but all share a common set of floral and leaf traits that unite them within Korokaceae. Some species are cultivated ornamentally for their attractive flowers and evergreen foliage, while others are primarily observed in wild forest settings.

Korokaceae is endemic to the Koroko archipelago and nearby islands, where it favors mid-elevation forests, forest edges, and sheltered ravines. The range is fragmented, and several species have restricted distributions, making them sensitive to habitat change and invasive species.

Taxonomically, Korokaceae is placed within the broad clade of eudicots and is typically treated as a distinct lineage within Malpighiales in modern classifications. Phylogenetic analyses suggest a sister relationship with a clade containing Elaeocarpaceae and Theaceae, though data remain limited for decisive placement.

Conservation and uses: many species face threats from habitat loss and climate change. A number are valued ornamentals or used in traditional remedies in local communities, reflecting their ecological and cultural importance within the Koroko flora.