It is native to tropical America, from southern Mexico and Guatemala to Ecuador and Bolivia.

[2] Carludovica is named in honor of Charles IV of Spain and his wife Maria Luisa of Parma.

[3][4] The genus is probably best known for Carludovica palmata (toquilla), the young leaves of which are made into Panama hats.

An unidentified species belonging to this family (possibly a Carludovica species) has been marketed as a houseplant in the United States under the name "Jungle Drum".

According to Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, there are four species[2] Tropicos lists more species but it may contain potential synonyms: This Pandanales-related article is a stub.