Bixaceae

There are no indigenous representatives of this family in southern Africa but there are two cultivated species in this region, namely Bixa orellana (Annatto tree or Lipstick tree) and Cochlospermum vitifolium.

Cistaceae

Has a mainly north temperate distribution but the family is also native to South America. There are no species native to southern Africa but three genera and 15 species are cultivated in the region.

Cytinaceae

Two genera and about 10 species, native to Mexico, Mediterranean, South Africa and Madagascar. Three species of the parasitic genus Cytinus are native to southern Africa.

Dipterocarpaceae

Seventeen genera and 680 species, native to tropical forests where they are often huge emergent trees. There are no native species to southern Africa but Monotes glaber has been cultivated in the region. Members of this family are a major source of hardwood timber and so it can be assumed that timber of this family has been imported into southern Africa on a regular basis.

Malvaceae (hibiscus, okra, baobab and balsa family)

About 243 genera and 4225 species worldwide; 31 genera and 401 species are native to southern Africa, a further eight genera and 20 species are naturalised, and a further 32 genera and 98 species are cultivated in the region.

Muntingiaceae

The family is native to tropical America but is represented in southern Africa by one cultivated species, Muntingia calabura (Bolina, Yumanaza), which is native from Mexico to Peru.

Neuradaceae

Three genera and about 10 species, with two genera and six species native to southern Africa.

Thymelaeaceae

About 46-50 genera and 891 species, distributed over most regions of the world, with eight genera and 173 species native to southern Africa and a further two genera and three species that are cultivated in the region.