It is threatened by habitat loss according to the IUCN Red List.

It can reach 25 m in height and its bark is smooth and greenish-black or sometimes reddish.

Names in local languages: Kattujathi (literally wild nutmeg), Kattujathikka, Kottappannu, Panampalka, Pathiripoovu, Ponnampannu, Ponnampayin, and Ponnampu in Malayalam; Kanage, and Doddajajikai in Kannada; Rampatri in Hindi.

Both Myristica magnifica and M. malabarica are endangered trees that are native to Western Ghats.

The swamp lands and lowlands where they normally grow have been significantly drained for agricultural use.