English: Greek willow tree.
Name: from the Greek per, meaning around and discos, ring.
Genera: Choristylis, Itea, Pterostemon; 18 species.
Region: eastern USA, southeastern Africa, south and Southeastern Asia; Guiana, S America, West and Central Africa.
Habitat: tropical.
Genera: 4, Peridiscus, Medusandra, Soyauxia, Whittonia; 11–12 species.
BotanySmall trees and shrubs.
TaxonomyIteaceae is a family in the
Saxifragales in the
Apg3 classification, near
Saxifragaceae. Pterostemon is included in
Iteaceae but was formerly placed in its own family
Pterostemonaceae.
Some older taxonomic systems place the genera in this family in the
Grossulariaceae. The Apg3 system includes the former
Pterostemonaceae in
Iteaceae.
Plant theoryIn the
Plant theory 2 it is placed tentatively in
Subphase 7. It is included in
Peridiscaceae, together with
Pterostemonaceae and
Cynomoriaceae.