The Lecythidaceae comprise a family of about 20 genera and 250–300 species of woody plants native to tropical South America, Africa (including Madagascar), Asia and Australia. The most important member of the family in world trade is the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa), valued for its edible nuts; the paradise nut (Lecythis species) is also eaten.

Taxonomy

According to molecular analysis of Lecythidaceae, including work by Mori et al. (2007), subfamilies include:

Barringtonioidea

Previously Barringtoniaceae; also sensu Takhtajan 1997; this subfamily was also called Planchonioideae (which included Barringtonia). Genera are restricted to the Old World tropics. Previously Foetidiaceae from Madagascar is monogeneric:

Lecythidoideae

Genera restricted to the New World tropics.

Scytopetaloideae

The APG II system of 2003 included genera from the family Scytopetalaceae and others

Napoleonaeoideae

Previously as family Napoleonaeaceae; species are native to Africa.