Diversity of Symplocos (Symplocaceae, Ericales) at low latitudes in Asia during late Oligocene and Miocene

•Three types of Symplocos from the late Oligocene and Miocene of Guangxi showcase the diversity of Symplocos during this time.•Earliest Asian megafossils of Symplocos are from the late Oligocene of Nanning Basin, Guangxi, China.•Fossils and modeling reveal Symplocos was quite diverse and has persisted at low latitudes within Asia since late Oligocene.•Climate probably plays a crucial role in driving the diversification of Symplocos in low latitudes of Asia.