Abstract:The Chloranthaceae comprises about 68 species in four gerera,viz.Sarcandra,Chloranthus, Ascarina and Hedyosmum. Its systematic position, classification, presentdistribution, fossil records and their morphological characters are discussed. The followingconclusions have been reached: a. the establishment of the monotypic order Chloranthales isreasonable; b. the four genera of Chloranthaceae are at the same evolutionary level, c. theMalaysian region is the present distribution centre of Chloranthaceae;d.the origin of thefamily is suggested to be NW.Gondwanaland and SW.Laurasia; e.the time of origin ofthe Chloranthaceae may not be later than Barremian of the Cretaceous.
