The specific epithet triphylla is from the Greek meaning 'three leaf', referring to the trifoliolate leaves.

[2] Melicope triphylla grows up as a shrub or tree up to 15 metres (50 ft) tall.

The ellipsoid to roundish fruits measure up to 0.5 cm (0.2 in) long.

[2] Melicope triphylla grows naturally in the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan south to Borneo and east to New Guinea.

[2][3] In Malaysian Borneo its habitat is forests from sea-level to 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) altitude.