Melhania ovata grows as a suffrutex (subshrub) or shrub up to 1 metre (3 ft) tall.

The elliptic to ovate leaves are tomentose above and measure up to 8.5 cm (3 in) long.

Inflorescences are two to three-flowered or have solitary flowers, on a stalk measuring up to 4.5 cm (2 in) long.

[2] Melhania ovata is native to tropical Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and Pakistan.

[3] Its habitat is in grassland and wooded bushland at altitudes of about 500–1,900 m (1,600–6,200 ft).