Shrubs deciduous. Leaves opposite, simple or divided to trifoliolate, entire or serrate, ovate to lanceolate. Flowers pedicellate, 1-6 in axillary fascicles, heterostylous. Calyx 4-lobed. Corolla yellow, deeply 4-lobed; lobes oblong, 1-2 cm long. Stamens attached at the base. Style slender, with 2-lobed stigma. Fruit a 2-celled, dehiscent capusle with many winged seeds. Flowers early in spring, before the leaves appear.

Species 7, distributed in China, Japan, SE. Europe. Cultivated in many countries as an early spring bloomer; quite a number of varieties have been developed. Rarely seen in Pakistan where it might do well in the hill stations.

In Rawalpindi, Topi Park, a few specimens are cultivated which appear to be Forsythia suspense Vahl or its hybrid Forsythia x intermedia Zabel.