A genus of a single species in China, allied to Carriera, which, however, has bisexual flowers, whereas in Poliothyrsis they are unisexual, though both sexes on the same plant. Idesia is another ally, but that has fleshy fruits.
From the Supplement (Vol. V)
The largest known specimen of P. sinensis grows at Caerhays, Cornwall, and measured 49 × 3[3/4] ft in 1971. But it has attained 35 × 3 ft (1984) at Burford Lodge, Dorking, Surrey, where it was probably planted by Sir William Lawrence, son of Sir Trevor Lawrence, who was President of the Royal Horticultural Society from 1885 until his death in 1913.