It is a shrub to tree with elliptic or egg-shaped leaves and contrasting white flowers which occur in autumn and winter.

[2] The edges of the leaves are shallowly to deeply toothed, glabrous and glossy, and both surfaces have a prominent midvein.

[2] All parts of the tree have a spicy smell,[5] but should be treated with "some caution", since the plant contains the poisonous alkaloid doryphorine.

[8][9] Its generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek dory- "spear" and pherein "to carry", and refers to the anthers in the flower, while its specific epithet is taken from its similar odour to the North American Laurel (Sassafras albidum).

The distribution is from Nambour in southern Queensland through eastern New South Wales to Wolumla Peak in Yurammie State Forest.