It has rough, stringy or fibrous, reddish brown bark in long strips on the trunk and branches.

Red mahogany is found in coastal areas from Nowra in New South Wales to Gladstone in Queensland, with disjunct populations further north as far as Coen.

It grows in forest on flats, valleys and gentle slopes, preferring soils of medium to high fertility.

[13][14][15][16] The timber of red mahogany is well regarded for its high quality, being very hard and heavy, and having dark-red heartwood.

It has multiple uses including flooring, panelling, cladding, boat building, railroad ties and general construction.