In recent decades, it has been subject to much taxonomic debate, with several small families being split off.

[2] Together with chemical characteristics such as the occurrence of petroselinic acid in Picrasma,[3] in contrast to other members of the family such as Ailanthus,[4] this indicates the existence of a subgroup in the family with Picrasma, Holacantha, and Castela.

The best-known species is the temperate Chinese tree-of-heaven Ailanthus altissima, which has become a cosmopolitan weed tree of urban areas[5] and wildlands.

[6] Well-known genera in the family include the tropical Quassia and Simarouba.

[7] 20 genera are accepted:[8] Media related to Simaroubaceae at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Simaroubaceae at Wikispecies