Purdiaea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Clethraceae described as a genus in 1846. It is one of two genera in this family, and was formerly classified in the related family Cyrillaceae. Purdiaea is native to tropical regions of the Caribbean (with the highest species diversity on Cuba), Central America and northern South America, further south than the related genus Clethra, the only other genus of this family.
The genus is composed of shrubs and small trees with alternating leaves.
Selected species
Purdiaea belizensis (A.C.Sm. & Standl.) J.L.Thomas – "Belize purdiaea", Central America.
Purdiaea cubensis (A.Rich.) Urb. – "Cuban purdiaea", "Clavellina", Southeast US, Cuba.
Purdiaea ekmanii Vict. – Cuba
Purdiaea microphylla Britton & P.Wilson – Cuba
Purdiaea nipensis Vict. & León – Cuba
Purdiaea nutans G.Planch. – Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru
Purdiaea ophiticola Vict. – Cuba
Purdiaea shaferi Britton – Cuba
Purdiaea stenopetala Griseb. – Cuba
Purdiaea tereosepala J.L.Thomas – Cuba
Purdiaea velutina Britton & P.Wilson – Cuba
