A genus with the one species described here, related to our native sweet gale, Myrica gale. Indeed, it is merged into Myrica by some botanists, but differs in the two sexes usually occurring on the same plant, and in the ovary being surrounded by eight persistent scales, instead of two or four inconspicuous ones. It is also quite distinct from the myricas, or indeed any other hardy shrub, in general aspect.
The genus was named after Henry Compton, Bishop of London (1632-1713), a notable tree-lover of his time who planted extensively in the garden of Fulham Palace.