the hydrangea family of flowering plants, in the order Cornales, comprising 19 genera and about 260 species of woody ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs, native primarily to tropical, subtropical, and north temperate regions. Shrubs of the genera Deutzia, Hydrangea (hydrangea), and Philadelphus (mock orange or sweet syringa) are well-known garden ornamentals. Other ornamental genera include Cardiandra, Carpenteria, Decumaria, Dichroa, Jamesia, Kirengeshoma, Pileostegia, Platycrater, Schizophragma, and Whipplea.