Nucleotide sequences of the chloroplast gene, rbcL, were obtained for Suriana maritima, Cadellia pentastylis, Guilfoylia monostylis, Stylobasium australe, Quassia amara, Brucea mollis, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Mangifera indica, Connarus conchocarpus, and Comesperma ericinum. Phylogenetic analyses of these, along with published sequences of representatives of rosid families, support the monophyly of the Surianaceae sensu Cronquist and provide evidence of an affinity with the Polygalaceae and Fabaceae. These conclusions are discussed in the light of available morphological data.