Symplocaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Ericales. It includes a single genus, Symplocos, with about 400 described species. The family has an "amphi-Pacific tropical" distribution, which includes India through to Korea and Japan, mainland and maritime Southeast Asia, eastern Australia, the western Pacific, southeast United States, Central America and much of South America. Plants in the family Symplocaceae are generally trees or shrubs, and are found in humid, tropical, montane forests within their range.
Description
The leaves of Symplocaceae are generally simple and are alternate or spirally arranged. The margin is either dentate, glandular-dentate, or entire. The petioles of the leaves lack stipules at the base. ==Uses==
Uses
While not a chief staple in any large market product, Symplocaceae is used by some groups for specific purposes. One example of the uses of Symplocaceae is that the bark is used as a source of yellow dye in parts of South America. Another use of Symplocaceae is that the roots of some species of the family are used to make tonics. ==Fossil record==
Fossil record
The fossil record of Symplocaceae is well documented with fossils appearing in the current range as well as in Europe and further into North America. The fossil record does much to confirm the biogeographic connection between North America and East Asia which is already well established in the paleobotanical field. Much of the surviving fossil record is from pollen and the bony endocarps, but leaf imprints exist as well. ==References==