[3] Payena microphylla grows up to 45 metres (150 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 160 cm (60 in).

The fruits are ovoid to ellipsoid and measure up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long.

Its habitat is lowland mixed dipterocarp to montane forest, to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) elevation.

[1] Payena microphylla has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.

However, its Borneo habitat is generally at risk from logging and conversion of land for palm oil plantations.