Members of the genus are commonly known as fan corals and are found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region.

[2] Members of the genus Melithaea are arborescent colonial corals forming fan, bush or tree shapes.

The identity of these spicules is important for identification purposes and in this genus they are predominantly double discs and small disc-spindles, but also include plain spindles, capstans and small clubs.

Members of this genus do not have the unicellular symbiotic algae Zooxanthellae in their tissues that many other corals do.

Colonies vary in colour but tend to be shades of yellow, orange, red and brown.