Simaroubaceae

The Simaroubaceae, also known as the quassia family, are a small, mostly tropical, family in the order Sapindales. In recent decades, it has been subject to much taxonomic debate, with several small families being split off. A molecular phylogeny of the family was published in 2007, greatly clarifying relationships within the family.^[2] Together with chemical characteristics such as the occurrence of petroselinic acid in Picrasma,^[3] in contrast to other members of the family such as Ailanthus,^[4] this indicates the existence of a subgroup in the family with Picrasma, Holacantha, and Castela.

Simaroubaceae
Ailanthus altissima
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Simaroubaceae DC.[1]
Genera
See text
Distribution of the family Simaroubaceae.
Synonyms
Ailanthaceae J.Agardh Castelaceae J.Agardh Holacanthaceae Jadin, nom. inval. Leitneriaceae Benth. & Hook.f., nom. cons. Simabaceae Horan. Soulameaceae Endl.[1]

The best-known species is the temperate Chinese tree-of-heaven Ailanthus altissima, which has become a cosmopolitan weed tree of urban areas^[5] and wildlands.^[6]

Well-known genera in the family include the tropical Quassia and Simarouba.

It is known in English by the common names of the quassia family or ailanthus family.^[7]

Genera

20 genera are accepted:^[8]

• Ailanthus Desf.
• †Ailanthophyllum Dawson
• Brucea J.F.Mill.
• Castela Turpin
• Eurycoma Jack
• Gymnostemon Aubrév. & Pellegr.
• Hannoa Planch.
• Homalolepis Turcz.
• Iridosma Aubrév. & Pellegr.
• Leitneria Chapm.
• Nothospondias Engl.
• Odyendea Pierre ex Engl.
• Perriera Courchet
• Picrasma Blume
• Picrolemma Hook.f.
• Pierreodendron Engl.
• Quassia L.
• Samadera Gaertn.
• Simaba Aubl.
• Simarouba Aubl.
• Soulamea Lam.^[9]

Excluded genera

• Allantospermum Forman → Irvingiaceae
• Alvaradoa Liebm. → Picramniaceae
• Desbordesia Pierre ex Tiegh. → Irvingiaceae
• Harrisonia R.Br. ex A.Juss. → Rutaceae
• Irvingia Hook.f. → Irvingiaceae
• Kirkia Oliv. → Kirkiaceae
• Klainedoxa Pierre ex Engl. → Irvingiaceae
• Picramnia Sw. → Picramniaceae
• Recchia Sessé & Moc. ex DC. → Surianaceae^[10]