Vochysiaceae is a plant family belonging to the order Myrtales.
Description
Trees or shrubs with opposite leaves; flowers are zygomorph 1-(3)-5 merous; ovary inferior or superior; one fertile stamen; fruits samara or capsules.
Biogeography
Seven of the nine genera are native to the Neotropics. The genera Erismadelphus and Korupodendron are native to West and Central Africa.
Evolutionary history
The family likely originated in South America. Erismadelphus is thought to have diverged from Erisma approximately 30 million years ago, and traveled to Africa as the result of long-distance dispersal.
Systematics
Vochysiaceae are closest to Myrtaceae. Vochysiaceae consist of 9 genera with about 250 species.