It is native to the Indian subcontinent, mainland Southeast Asia, Malesia, New Guinea, Queensland, New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Mallotus repandus is an evergreen vine that may reach up to 20 m (66 ft) long and a stem diameter of up to 22 cm (8.7 in).

The blaze (longitudinal cut of the bark) is finely layered, with an odour of green peas (Pisum sativum).

[9] The indumentum/hairs on the leaves of the plant are simple and multicellular, a trait only found amongst the Mallotus genera in the closely related M.

[6] The climber/shrub grows locally scattered in the understorey of primary to secondary forest, and in disturbed sites and scrub.

[11] The climbing mallotus is native to a very broad area from India to Oceania, including India, East Himalaya, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, much of east, central and southern China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Queensland, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu.