[2] It contains two genera:[2] Aucuba was included in the family Cornaceae or Aucubaceae in some classification systems.

[2] Together with Eucommia ulmoides the Garryaceae are currently placed by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group in an own order, the Garryales.

Petroselinic acid occurs as the major fatty acid in Aucuba and Garrya species, and is also found in the families Griseliniaceae, Apiaceae and Araliaceae of the Apiales.

[3] The family is found in warm temperate and subtropical regions, Garrya in North America, and Aucuba in eastern Asia.

They are evergreen shrubs or small trees with opposite, simple leaves.