[1] The specific epithet costata means "ribbed", referring to the prominent venation of the leaf blade.

Anisoptera costata is native to Bangladesh, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Cambodia, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Its habitat is in forest types including dipterocarp and evergreen, to elevations of 700 m (2,300 ft).

It is important to environmental, and biodiversity purpose with improving soil condition in the forest.

The flowers are food for insects and moths such as the red coffee borer (Polyphagozerra coffeae).