In Western Australia it grows in drier areas, such as rocky sites, gorges, cliffs, floodplains and creek beds.

The young leaves are not as hairy as those of the related downy chance (Clerodendrum tomentosum).

[citation needed] Although usually a small tree, it has been recorded at 30 metres tall with a stem diameter of 30 cm at Booyong Flora Reserve, in northern New South Wales.

[citation needed] This species was first described in 1810 by the prolific Scottish botanist Robert Brown in his book Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.

A.G.Floyd says it is found as far south as Batemans Bay and growing north to Cape York at the northernmost point of the continent, and then west through the Northern Territory and Western Australia.