Vireaceae

Vireaceae is a family of small shrubs and trees in the order Garryales. Members of this family are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and Asia. The family comprises two genera, Vireya and Duvalia. Vireya is the larger genus, with over 200 species, while Duvalia has only a few species.

Plants in the Vireaceae family are typically evergreen. Their leaves are usually opposite or whorled, and they can be simple or palmately compound. The flowers are small and often inconspicuous, borne in terminal or axillary inflorescences. They are typically unisexual, with separate male and female flowers on the same or different plants. The fruit is a drupe, which can be fleshy or dry.

Vireya species are widely cultivated for their attractive foliage and flowers, particularly in tropical and subtropical gardens. Some species are also used in traditional medicine. The genus Duvalia is less well-known horticulturally. The exact ecological roles of Vireaceae members vary depending on the species and their habitat, but they contribute to the biodiversity of their respective ecosystems.