[2] The genus is distributed in Asia and eastern Africa, from southern China through Indochina to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and coastal Mozambique.

They usually have single or paired white or yellow flowers, but some species have larger inflorescences.

[3] The winged seeds make the genus distinctive in its family.

[5] The former Madagascan genera Helmiopsiella and Helmiopsis are now considered synonyms of Eriolaena.

[1] These genera were named in honour of C. Helm, German clergyman in Berlin and amateur botanist.