The genus has a disjunct distribution, with 24 species endemic to New Caledonia in the Pacific, and one species (Cunonia capensis) in Southern Africa.

Leaves are opposite, simple or pinnate with a margin entire to serrate.

Interpetiolar stipules are often conspicuous and generally enclose buds to form a spoon-like shape (hence the common name "butterspoon tree" for Cunonia capensis).

Flowers are bisexual, white, red (pink to purple), or green, arranged in racemes.

The fruit is a capsule opening first around the base then vertically, seeds are winged.