The naturalist and explorer Alfred Russel Wallace described it as "among the most magnificent flowering plants in the world".

[3] Rhodolaena altivola grows as a small to medium-sized tree.

Individual flowers are very large with five sepals and five purple-red petals, measuring up 5 cm (2 in) long.

[4] Rhodolaena altivola is only found in the eastern regions of Atsinanana and Analanjirofo.

Its future population decline due to habitat loss is predicted at more than 80%.