Its leaves are leathery, elliptic, obovate or oblong-lanceolate, with a serrate margin, and are about 8–13 cm (3.1–5.1 in) long.

Its fruits are more-or-less ovoid or globose capsules about 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) long, with three chestnut brown seeds in each of the three locules.

The flowering period extends from April through July, while the fruits ripe from August up to November.

[4] As of March 2024[update], Plants of the World Online accepted two varieties:[1] Pyrenaria microcarpa is native to south-central and southeast China, Hainan, Myanmar, the Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), Taiwan, and Vietnam.

[1] It grows in mountain forests or along streams, at an elevation of about 300–1,000 metres (980–3,280 ft) above sea level.