A family of 28 genera and nearly 600 species, mainly in tropical regions; six genera occur naturally in Australia.

Lagerstroemia - A genus of about 50 species in Asia, Malesia and Australia; one species occurs naturally in Australia. Hewson & Beesley (1990).

Pemphis - A monotypic genus found on tropical coastlines in eastern Africa, Asia, Malesia, Australia and the Pacific islands. Hewson (1990).

Hewson, H.J. (1990). Pemphis. In 'Flora of Australia.' Vol. 18, (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.), p. 105.

Hewson, H.J. & Beesley, P.L. (1990). Lythraceae. In 'Flora of Australia.' Vol. 18, (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.), pp. 91-113, 321-323.