Abstract: Systematic position of the Rhoipteleaceae was investigated using nucleotide sequences of the chloroplast gene rbcL. Two sets of parsimony analyses were conducted, one using Bauera as the outgroup and the other using Cercidiphyllum-Liquidambar as outgroups. The results of these analyses are consistent. Rhoiptelea is allied with sampled Jug-landaceous genera in the rbcL phylogeny, suggesting its close relationship with the Juglandaceae.

Key words: Rhoipteleaceae, rbcL sequence, “higher” hamamelids