Alafia barteri grows as a liana up to 35 metres (115 ft) long, with a stem diameter of up to 3 centimetres (1.2 in).

The fruit is dark brown with paired cylindrical follicles, each up to 50 centimetres (20 in) in diameter.

Local traditional medicinal uses include as a treatment for malaria and rheumatism.

[2] Alafia barteri is native to an area of tropical Africa from Sierra Leone to Gabon.

[1] Its habitat is lowland forest from sea level to 200 metres (700 ft) altitude.