The family Montiniaceae comprises 3 genera, namely, Montinia, Grevea and Kaliphora. Only the monotypic genus (a genus with only 1 species) Montinia occurs in the western part of southern Africa and southwestern Angola. The description to follow applies only to this genus.

The species, Montinia caryophyllacea, is a lax shrub or small tree. The crushed leaves of Montinia caryophyllacea have an acrid, pungent scent and the sap of the plant is milky. Plants of the species are browsed by game and livestock and the fruit is eaten by armoured ground crickets. The pungent leaves of Grevea are used to soothe colds and headaches.