Halfordia kendack is a shrub or tree that typically grows to a height of 25–30 m (82–98 ft), the trunk with a diameter of 75 cm (30 in) and often flanged at the base.

Flowering occurs from January to May and the fruit is a purple to bluish black, spherical to oval drupe 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) long that is present in most months.

[1] In 1860, Xavier Montrouzier described Eriostemon kendack in Mémoires de l'Académie Royale des Sciences, Belles-Lettres et Arts de Lyon,[9][10] and in 1911, André Guillaumin changed the name to Halfordia kendack in Notulae Systematicae.

[13] Kerosenewood grows in monsoon woodland and rainforest in coastal and inland areas from sea level to an altitude of 1,260 m (4,130 ft).

[5][6] The hard seed is surrounded by pulp, which is eaten by a variety of birds, such as the green catbird, topknot pigeon and wompoo fruit dove.