Shrubs or small trees, deciduous or semievergreen, branches with 3 prophylls, usually stellately pubescent; buds perulate. Leaves petiolate; stipules large, membranous, usually rapidly caducous, leaving small scars; leaf blade membranous or leathery, margin serrate, venation pinnate, the 2 basal lateral veins usually with tertiary veins. Inflorescence a raceme or compact thyrse, pendent, usually open before leaves appear; peduncle with 2 or 3 basal leaves; each flower usually with 1 bract and 2 bracteoles. Flowers bisexual. Sepals 5, persistent or deciduous. Petals yellow, rounded or ovate. Stamens 5; filaments linear; anther thecae 2-sporangiate, each dehiscing by 2 valves; 5–10 nectar producing disk scales present, alternating with stamens, apex truncate or 2-lobed. sometimes 1–5 staminodes present. Ovary from almost superior to almost inferior; ovules 3 per locule, 2 of them sterile; styles short or long, stigmas capitate, persistent in fruit. Capsules ovoid-globose, woody, dehiscing loculicidally by 4 valves, with persistent styles. Seeds ellipsoid; endosperm fleshy; embryo straight. 2n = 24, 48, 72.

Corylopsis calcicola C. Y. Wu (Fl. Yunnan. 1: 126. 1977) was described from NE Yunnan (Zhenxiong Xian), but the present authors have seen no specimens.

About 29 species: China, India, Japan, Korea; 20 species (19 endemic) in China.