 Hippocrateoideae is one of three morphologically distinct and monophyletic subfamilies embedded in the large, paraphyletic subfamily Celastroideae.The classification proposed by Simmons is an artificial construct, meant to be used until a phylogenetic classification of Celastraceae can be found.The subfamily Hippocrateoideae (sensu Simmons) encompasses about a third of the species of the now defunct family Hippocrateaceae that was erected by Jussieu in 1811.