The leaves are alternate, leathery, glossy dark green, simple, 3–9 cm (1–3+1⁄2 in) long, with an entire or serrated margin.

The flowers are white or pink, 1–2 cm (1⁄2–3⁄4 in) diameter, produced in small to large corymbs with panicle structure.

The fruit is a small pome 1–2 cm (1⁄2–3⁄4 in) diameter, ripening dark purple to black, usually containing only a single seed.

Rhaphiolepis is closely related to loquats and toyon and is in the apple subtribe along with many other commercially important fruit like pears.

The use of Rhaphiolepis in landscapes in humid regions is limited by the susceptibility of many of its species and hybrids to a disfiguring leaf spot disease caused by fungi in the genus Entomosporium.