Plants in this genus are herbs or shrubs, mostly endemic to Australia.

The leaves are variably-shaped, the flowers arranged in small groups, with three or five sepals, the corolla bilaterally symmetrical and either fan-shaped with two "lips" or tube-shaped.

The petals are usually yellow to white, the stamens free from each other and the fruit a capsule.

[8] The name Goodenia honours Bishop of Carlisle Samuel Goodenough, a member of the Linnean Society of London at the time.

[13] Species of Goodenia are found in all states, including in arid and semi-arid areas.