It is a small to medium-sized tree or large bush, endemic to Madagascar, the Comoro Islands and Mayotte.

[1] Anthostema madagascariense is an evergreen tree, rich in latex in all its parts, which grows to a height of about 30 m (100 ft).

The leaf blades are leathery, obovate or elliptical, with entire margins, and are borne on short, grooved petioles.

[2] The timber of Anthostema madagascariense is whitish when freshly cut, turning pink on exposure to the air.

It is soft and non-durable, prone to rot and attack by insects, and is little used for construction, but can be worked by hand to make utensils.