The specific epithet spectabilis means 'spectacular', referring to the tree's appearance.

[3] Madhuca spectabilis grows up to 26 metres (90 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 40 cm (16 in).

Its habitat is lowland mixed dipterocarp forest from 30–450 m (100–1,500 ft) altitude.

[3] Madhuca spectabilis has been assessed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

The species is threatened by logging and conversion of land for palm oil plantations.