There are about 20 species, native to Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, Ecuador and the southern half of the United States.[5][6]Phylogenetics indicate that Forestiera is sister to Hesperelaea, an extinct North American lineage.[7]
The following species are recognised in the genus Forestiera:[8]
Forestiera acuminata (Michx.) Poir. – eastern swampprivet - central and southeastern United States
Forestiera segregata Krug & Urban – Florida swampprivet - Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, much of West Indies including Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Cayman Islands
.jpg){kind=small}