The appearance of the bark is variable depending on conditions but is typically persistent and subfibrous, smooth to shallow with close longitudinal fissures and red-brown to brown in colour.

[3] The discolourous evergreen adult leaves have a subopposite to alternate, arrangement and are a broadly lanceolate shape with a length of 10 to 15 centimetres (4 to 6 in) and a width of 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in).

[6] It produces a simple axillary inflorescence called a conflorescence with a solitary umbels containing five to eight flowers that are 8 to 22 millimetres (0.315 to 0.866 in) in length.

[3] It has a scattered distribution and is known on seven islands in total; Adonara, Alor, Flores, Lembata, Pantar, Timor and Wetar.

It is often found in soils based on basalt, schist and slate but rarely round limestone.

The species was planted in Java in 1890 and Brazil in 1919, it was introduced to Australia in 1966 and more recently to Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, French Guiana, Ivory Coast and Madagascar in Africa, and Malaysia, Vietnam, southern China and Papua New Guinea in Asia.

[13] The tree is used to make a variety of products including charcoal, furniture, building poles, fenceposts, wall paneling, fibreboard[13] pulp and paper and fuel.