It is a medium-sized tree, sometimes with buttress roots at the base of the trunk, variably-shaped leaves with serrated edges, flowers with five petals often with a few short lobes or teeth on the tip, and elliptic to oval fruit.

Elaeocarpus foveolatus is a tree that typically grows to a height of 33 m (108 ft), sometimes with buttress roots at the base of the trunk.

[3][4] Elaeocarpus foveolatus was first formally described in 1866 by Ferdinand von Mueller in Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae from material collected by John Dallachy in mountains near Rockingham Bay.

[6] Elaeocarpus foveolatus is endemic to Queensland, and is widespread in the north and central-eastern areas of that state where it grows in rainforest at altitudes of up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft).

[4] White quandong is listed as of "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.