Thymelaeaceae Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Thymelaeaceae

Daphne striata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Thymelaeaceae Adans.
Genera
See text

The Thymelaeaceae family is a group of flowering plants. It includes about 50 different types of plants, called genera, and nearly 900 unique species!

Most plants in this family are trees or shrubs. You might also find a few vines and smaller, soft-stemmed plants called herbaceous plants.

Where Do These Plants Live?
Amazing Uses of Thymelaeaceae Plants
Images for kids
See also

Where Do These Plants Live?

This plant family is found all over the world, but it's most common in the southern half of the planet. You'll find lots of these plants in Africa and Australia.

Amazing Uses of Thymelaeaceae Plants

Many plants in the Thymelaeaceae family are special because of how people use them.

Plants for Paper and Rope

Some plants in this family have very strong fibers in their bark. These fibers can be used to make useful things:

The Lagetta lagetto plant, also known as the Lacebark, has bark that can be made into rope and even fabric!
The Funifera utilis from Brazil is another plant famous for its strong fibers, perfect for making ropes.
In Nepal, the Daphne bholua plant is not only beautiful but also used in traditional paper-making.
The Edgeworthia chrysantha, which grows in China, is also used to make paper.

Beautiful Flowers and Scents

Many plants in this family are grown just because they are so pretty or smell wonderful.

Daphne bholua has a lovely sweet smell and is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.
The Gnidia rubescens has very striking and colorful flowers.
Pimelea spectabilis from Australia also has beautiful flowers.

Interesting Plant Features

Some plants in this family have unique ways of growing or flowering.

Phaleria capitata from Sumatra shows something called cauliflory. This means its flowers and fruits grow directly from the main trunk or older branches, instead of on new shoots.

Images for kids

The striking flowers of Gnidia rubescens.
Gnidia glauca (known formerly as Lasiosiphon glaucus).
Gonystylus bancanus native to Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia: botanical line drawing of detailed anatomy.
Lagetta lagetto the Lacebark : botanical illustration showing plant with samples of cordage and fabric made from its fibre.
The Brazilian Funifera utilis - its genus named for the suitability of its fibre for rope-making. (Under obsolete name Lagetta funifera).
The sweetly-scented and highly ornamental flowers of Daphne bholua, a Nepalese species used also in traditional paper-making.
Inflorescence of the Australian Pimelea spectabilis.
The South African Struthiola myrsinites.
Flowers of an unidentified Passerina species.
Phaleria capitata of Sumatra exhibiting cauliflory.
Stellera chamaejasme of Central and East Asia.
The Brazilian Daphnopsis racemosa in flower.
Fruits of Daphnopsis racemosa.
Flowers of Dirca palustris of the U.S.A..
Edgeworthia chrysantha, native to China.
Wikstroemia phillyreifolia (Hawai'i false ohelo) flowers (659242683).jpg

Flowers of the Hawaiian Wikstroemia phillyreifolia.