Worldwide excepting Australia and some warm old world regions. The waxy layer on the outside of the fruits is used to scent and make bayberry candles. Fossil wood in the Eocene and microfossils in the Oligocene.
Flowers are small and borne on an inflorescence of catkin-like spikes.
Perianth lacking, but bracteoles may look like a perianth in female flower. Both perfect and unisexual flowers are subtended by small bracts. Seed with endosperm lacking. Placentation is basal. Habit is as shrubs or small trees.