A one-dollar 1988 philatelic commemorated the discovery of Degeneria roseiflora earlier in that same year.

The genus contains two species of trees, both native to Fiji:[6][7] The stage-specific movements of floral organs, including scent emissions of degenerias studied by Miller in 1989, are remarkably similar to those observed in other Magnoliales.

[8][9][10] Further, the floral structure of Degeneria is unusual, considered to be primitive among the flowering plants.

[11] The stamens are similar to those in Austrobaileya, Galbulimima, and some Magnoliaceae; they do not have distinguishable anther, filament, and connective, but instead are leaf-like, with two pairs of microsporangia embedded in the surface.

A cleft remains filled with hairs, through which the pollen tubes grow towards the ovules.