It is native to northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Indonesia, Indochina, southern China, Taiwan, Japan, and the Indian subcontinent.

[1] It is recognized as a distinct species by some sources, as Glochidion sumatranum and other synonyms.

The most southerly point of natural distribution is Iluka, New South Wales.

zelyanicum is presumably is dependent on leafflower moths (Epicephala spp.)

for its pollination, like other species of tree in the genus Glochidion.