[3] The genus name comes from the Greek schizos and chiton meaning "split tunic", referring to the lobed staminal tube of C. patens.

Chisocheton habitats are rain forests, typically understorey trees, from sea-level to about 1,500 metres (5,000 ft) elevation.

[5] Unlike nearly all other seed plants, the leaves of Chisocheton have indeterminate growth - they never stop growing.

Instead of forming a terminal leaflet, they form a small circinate leaf-tip bud, which produces new leaflets continuously, every few days or weeks until some physiological limit is exceeded.

[7] As of February 2024[update] Plants of the World Online accepts 50 species.