It has a single, tall, straight trunk, with a spreading, parasol-like canopy only near the top.

The multiple fruit is up to twelve inches (30 centimeters) in diameter with large pyrenes.

Martellidendron hornei is endemic to the Seychelles, and was formerly common on all of the granitic islands.

In valleys and on wetter slopes it was a dominant part of the original forests.

It is currently threatened by habitat loss and invasive alien species such as Falcataria falcata.