Stylochaeton is an obscure genus restricted solely to the African continents. There are roughly 20 species in total, with only a handful of these found in cultivation outside of botanical gardens. Many species of the genus seem to form a creeping tuberous rhizome with extensive fleshy root systems.

Stylochaeton generally make smallish plants with attractive leaves. The flowers are often quite attractive although are diminutive in size and held down at soil level.