Austrobuxus swainii is a rare rainforest tree in the Picrodendraceae family.

The habitat is less fertile sedimentary based soils, often associated with the coachwood, in high rainfall areas.

Bark is scaly, grey or brown and sheds in irregular patches, leaving slight depressions.

Small branches are slender, grey or fawn in colour, dotted with many pale lenticels.

The capsule splits into four parts with two glossy brown seeds, 6 mm long.