Operculicarya is a genus consisting of small, slow-growing trees or shrubs distinguished by their thick, gnarled trunks and dense, leafy canopies. The textured, peeling bark and intricate branching patterns make them notable. Adapted to arid environments, operculicarya's roots are robust, enabling survival and growth in rocky or poor soils. Small, inconspicuous flowers bloom under the foliage, often overlooked due to their minute size.