Abstract:Sapindaceae is a pantropical distribution family.It is widely distributed in the world except Europe.The Radlkofer's(1931─1934) and J.Muller & P.W. Leenhouts'systems were discussed.The later one was adopted by the present authors. Based on the analysis of generic distribution, the floristics of the family was studied. According to the Takhtajan's (1986) world floristic classification system, Indomalesian subkingdom is the richest region of Sapindaceous plants in the world, the second is Africa, and the third,Neotropic. But the most primitive tribe, Dodonaeae is limited to Australia except one genus endemic to New Caledonia and some pantropical species of Dodonaea.There are only 25 genera and 54 species of sapindaceous plants in China,amouting to 17% and 3% of them in the world, respectively. Among the 25 genera, 6 of them are endemic ones.Most of them are located in the northern edge of generic distribution except the endemic genera(Eurycorymbus, Delavaya. Handeliodendron, Xanthoceras) and Koelreuteria,Boniodendron and Pavieasia. Most of the sapindaceous plants in China are shared with Indo -Malaysia, especially Vietnam.Based on the evidence of microfossils and modern distribution pattern of the family, it can be concluded that the family was possibly originated on Gondwana in very early Cretaceous, and its dispersal pathway is schematized.
