Here we describe a new tribal classification of Rhamnaceae based on a phylogenetic analysis of the rbcL and trnL-F sequences of the plastid genome. The last classification of the family by Suessenguth recognized five tribes. Eleven tribes are now recognized, three of which are new (Ampelozizipheae, Doerpfeldieae, and Bathiorhamneae). The constitution of Rhamneae Hook. F. The name of a Zizipheae Brongn tribe has been amended and corrected. Paliureae Reissek ex Endl.; as suggested by Schirarend & Olabi 1994) and amended. Hook Ventilagineae. f., Colletieae Reissek ex Endl. and Gouanieae Reissek ex Endl. are retained. Pomaderreae Reissek ex Endl. and Maesopsideae Weberb. They have been resurrected, as has Phyliceae Reissek ex Endl., which has also been amended. Three larger groups within Rhamnaceae are also described based on molecular data. However, there are no morphological characters that mark these groups, so they are given informal names in this treatment. A morphological cladistic analysis also included here demonstrates the problems of attempting phylogenetic reconstruction if only a few morphological characters are available.