The Sterculia family is a group of trees and shrubs that belong to the mallow family, Malvaceae. This family contains approximately 155 species that are commonly distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. While the Sterculia family is the most commonly used name for this group of plants, there are several other synonyms that can be used. Some of the common synonyms for the Sterculia family include Byttneriaceae, Brachychitonaceae, Cola family, and Sterculiaceae. These different names are often used interchangeably and refer to the same group of trees and shrubs, but may provide additional information about the plants' characteristics or origins.