[3] Microtropis platyphylla grows as a shrub or tree up to 10 metres (30 ft) tall, with a diameter of up to 10 cm (4 in).

Its Borneo habitat is in lowland to montane forests, to elevations of 2,700 m (9,000 ft).

[1] Microtropis platyphylla has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.

It is threatened by conversion of its habitat for agriculture and urban development and also by logging and mining.

The species is present in a number of protected areas, in Borneo: Crocker Range National Park, Maliau Basin and Tawau Hills National Park; in the Philippines: Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape and Bulusan Volcano Natural Park.