[3] It is endemic to New Caledonia, occurring in the central and northern parts of the island at 300-1,350 m altitude.

It is a dioecious[4] coniferous shrub or small tree, reaching 5–20 m (rarely 25 m) tall with reddish bark.

The leaves are lanceolate, flat, 8–12 cm long (up to 17 cm on young plants) and 4 mm broad, dark green above, with two paler green stomatal bands below; they are arranged spirally on the stem.

The male (pollen) cones are 10–15 mm long, slender.

The markedly longer leaves and large seeds readily distinguish it from the yews in the genus Taxus.