Trees deciduous; buds with scales. Leaves long petiolate; leaf blade elliptic or oblong, leathery or papery, basal veins 3, margin denticulate. Inflorescences axillary, cymose. Flowers bisexual. Pedicel articulate. Sepals 5, fleshy, valvate. Petals absent. Androgynophore absent. Stamens and staminodes many, in 2 or 3 series, outer series of 10 staminodes, in pairs, inner stamens 20, in 5 fascicles; filaments slightly connate; anthers 2-loculed. Ovary superior, 5-loculed, sessile; ovules 6 per locule; styles 5. Fruit a 5-winged capsule, ellipsoid, loculicidally dehiscent, wings veined, membranous. Seeds 1, 2, or 4 per locule, oblong.

The 5-winged capsules of Craigia superficially resemble the fruits of Burretiodendron, which has led to confusion. Craigia can be distinguished from Burretiodendron by its petaloid staminodes and the lack of petals. Both species of Craigia are included in the IUCN Red List; C. kwangsiensis is possibly extinct.

Two species: China and adjacent Vietnam; two species (one endemic) in China.