[2] Elmer Drew Merrill the American botanist who first formally described the species, using the basionym Polyalthia flava, named it after its brilliant yellow flowers (flavus in Latin).

Its leathery, oblong leaves are 7-12 by 3-4.5 centimeters with tapering tips and wedge-shaped bases.

The upper surfaces of the leaves are hairless and shiny, while the undersides have sparse hairs.

The elliptical to oval, fleshy petals are 2.5 by 1.5-1.8 centimeters with shallowly pointed tips.

Its flowers have numerous carpels with 1.3 millimeter-long ovaries that are covered in fine hairs.