All Aphyllon species are obligate root parasites, taking nutrients from others rather than performing photosynthesis.

They can be found in North and South America, with many species living in California, USA.

The genus Aphyllon has since been resurrected[1], as originally described by John Mitchell in 1748 in "Dissertatio brevis de principiis botanicorum et zoologorum deque novo stabiliendo naturae rerum congruo cum appendice" (1748) or "A short dissertation on the principles of botanism and zoology, and on a new establishment of the nature of things, with an appropriate appendix" [3].

Aphyllon have pedicels much longer than the flower length, and the bracteoles subtending the calyx are absent.

Nothaphyllon have pedicels that are shorter than or equal to the length of the flower and have 2 bracteoles subtending the calyx.