Its bark is roughly fissured and produces white latex.

Its white, yellowish or greenish flowers have oblong small petals and rounded sepals.

[2] In the Udzungwa Mountains it grows at elevations of 1,200–1,800 m (3,900–5,900 ft) in association with Aphloia theiformis, Englerophytum magalismontanum, Cryptocarya liebertiana, Hirtella megacarpa, Isoberlinia scheffleri, Myrsine melanophloeos, Xylopia aethiopica and Xymalos monospora.

[3] It is among the most common tree species in the Rwenzori Mountains at elevations of 1,300–2,000 m (4,300–6,600 ft).

[4] In Virunga National Park it grows in Afromontane forest between 1,800 and 2,800 m (5,900 and 9,200 ft) elevation.