Common names for plants in this genus include: Bowman's root, Indian-physic, American ipecac.

This genus is endemic to dry open woods with acidic soils in eastern North America.

[2][3][4] Traditionally this genus is considered to be related to Spiraea,[5] but it became apparent that it comes from the lineage which leads to tribe Maleae (which arose from within subfamily Amygdaloideae).

Flower structure and fossil evidence also point to Gillenia sharing distinctive features with the Maleae.

In G. stipulata, the stipules at the base of the leaves, which are round and deeply toothed, persist throughout the life of the plant.