It is an evergreen tropical shrub that grows to 4 m (10 ft) tall and has glossy dark green leaves that are 5–16 cm (2–6 in) long and are oppositely arranged along the stem.

The first acceptable scientific name for the plant was based on Tahitian specimens collected by Jules Dumont d'Urville in 1824.

It was first collected in Tahiti, by the Forsters on Captain Cook's first Pacific voyage (1768–1771), although it was misidentified as Gardenia jasminoides.

[9] The Tiaré flowers are hand picked and then laid unopened in oil for 15 days to obtain the extract.

For example, in Tonga a bark infusion is dripped into the nose, eyes, and mouth to treat "ghost sickness".