The Lecythidaceae is a family of about 20 genera and 250-300 species woody plants native to tropical South America and Madagascar.

There are two subfamilies, subdivided into several separate families by some authors:

Foetidioideae (Foetidiaceae). Madagascar. Includes only Foetidia.

Lecythidioideae (Barringtoniaceae, Lecythidaceae). South America. Includes all the other genera.

The most important member of the family in world trade is the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa), valued for its edible nuts; the Paradise Nut (Lecythis species) is also eaten.