[4][5][6][7][8] Included species were restricted to east Asia, except for two species of Torreya found in the southwest and southeast of the United States; fossil evidence shows a much wider prehistorical Northern Hemisphere distribution.

When considered as a distinct family, members of Cephalotaxaceae are much branched, small trees and shrubs.

They are linear to lanceolate, and have pale green or white stomatal bands on the undersides.

The mature aril is thin, green, purple or red, soft and resinous.

Each ovuliferous scale remains discrete, so the cone develops into a short stem with one to a few berry-like seeds.