[4] The genus consists of small trees, shrubs and lianas, and is native to western Africa, Madagascar, southern and eastern Asia (China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines), tropical Australia, the western Pacific Ocean islands, and New Caledonia.

Most of the species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of east and southeast Asia.

Alangium salviifolium is the most widespread species, ranging from Africa to Australia, Fiji, and New Caledonia.

Alangium villosum occurs from southeast Asia to Australia and the western Pacific Islands.

[2] As of April 2014[update] The Plant List recognises 42 accepted species (including infraspecific names):[8] Differences from the other genera in Cornaceae include articulated pedicels, subulate bracts, bitegmic seeds and the single-seeded fruit.

The bisexual (rarely unisexual) nectariferous flowers are arranged in axillary cymes.

[10] In 2011, a phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences showed that Alangium is sister to Cornus.