Boronias are similar to familiar plants in the genera Zieria, Eriostemon and Correa but can be distinguished from them by the number of petals or stamens.

The flowers are arranged in groups in the leaf axils or on the ends of the branches and have both male and female parts.

[2][3]The genus Boronia was first formally described in 1798 by James Edward Smith and the description was published in Tracts Relating to Natural History.

[4] The name Boronia honours Francesco Borone (1769 - 1794), Italian naturalist and plant collector, who assisted John Sibthorp in Greece and Turkey, Adam Afzelius in Sierra Leone and James Edward Smith during his European tour in 1787.

Boronias are found in all states and mainland territories of Australia and generally grow in open forests or woodlands, only rarely in rainforests or arid areas.