Cassytha (False dodder)

Of the total of 17 species, 14 are indigenous to Australia and three to Africa of which two occur in southern Africa. There is also an introduced, naturalised species in southern Africa. Parasitic plants that form a network of entwining, yellow tendrils over shrubs and trees.

Cryptocarya

About 350 species worldwide (pantropical, mainly Indo-Malayan), of which seven occur in southern Africa.

Dahlgrenodendron

One species: Dahlgrenodendron natalense, found in KwaZulu-Natal.

* Litsea

About 400 species worldwide (mainly Asia, also Australia, Pacific Islands, North and South America), of which one, Litsea sebifera, is indigenous to Asia and has been introduced to southern Africa, where it has become naturalised on forest margins in N KwaZulu-Natal. Litsea glutinosa (Indian laurel) is cultivated in southern Africa and is a declared Category 1 invasive plant in South Africa. 

Ocotea (Stinkwood genus)

About 300 species worldwide (mainly tropical and subtropical America, also Madagascar, Africa and one in the Canary Islands), of which two are indigenous to southern Africa.

Cinnamomum (cinnamon, camphor)

About 250 species worldwide (E and SE Asia through to Australia). There are no indigenous species in southern Africa but there are five species that are cultivated, including Cinnamon and the Camphor tree.  

Persea (avocado genus)

About 150 species worldwide (tropics). None is indigenous to southern Africa but there are two species that are cultivated in this region, including the well-known Avocado Persea americana.

Laurus (bay laurel genus)

Two species, indigenous to the Mediterranean region, Canary Islands and the Azores. Both species are cultivated in southern Africa, including Laurus nobilis, from which we obtain bay leaves, used in seasoning food.

Umbellularia

Two species (North America), of which one Umbellularia californica (Californian laurel) is cultivated in southern Africa.