a study based on comparison of homologous dna-fragments, published in 2004 indicated that the both the family chloranthaceae and its extant genera "ascarina", "chloranthus", "hedyosmum" and "sarcandra" are probably monophyletic, with "hedyosmum" being the first to diverge from the rest, and "ascarina" being the sister group of the clade consisting of "sarcandra" and "chloranthus". , four extant genera are recognized, and insights in their relationships are expressed in the following tree.