Otoba is one of six American genera of Myristicaceae and recognized by having three stamens with almost fused to free filaments, globose arillate seeds and absence of bracteoles in the male flower. Species of Otoba are distinguished by a suite of characters, mainly pubescence of the ovary and anther shape. It is one of the most abundant genera of Myristicaceae, although the number of species is small: Otoba acuminata, O. cyclobasis, O. glycycarpa, O. gordoniifolia, O. gracilipes, O. latialata, O. lehmannii, O. novogranatensis, O. parvifolia and O. vespertilio. They occur from middle Central America through western Ecuador into the eastern parts of upper Amazonia.