Altingiaceae is a small family of flowering plants in the order Saxifragales,[1] consisting of wind-pollinated trees that produce hard, woody fruits containing numerous seeds.

[6] Previously, the genera Altingia and Semiliquidambar were also recognised, but these represent a rapid radiation and have been difficult to separate reliably.

The clade is sister to Paeoniaceae[10] The family is named for the genus Altingia, now a synonym of Liquidambar.

This genus was named in honor of Willem Arnold Alting (1724–1800), the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies when Noronha visited Java.

The stem group Altingiaceae diverged from the clade [Hamamelidaceae + (Cercidiphyllaceae + Daphniphyllaceae)] in the Turonian stage of the Cretaceous Period, about 90 mya (million years ago).