Abstract: The family Trimeniaceae consists of two genera, five species. Morphological studies indicated that Trimeniaceae possesses many primitive characters. Recent phylogenetic analyses of multiple molecular data sets indicate that Trimeniaceae is one of the basal taxa of the extant angiosperms. But the systematic position of Trimeniaceae is in dispute. The origin and radiation of angiosperms (flowering plants) have long been hot issues attracting botanical systematists. This paper reviews the research history and recent advances related to this family.

Key words: Trimeniaceae, angiosperms, basal taxa, phylogeny, review