Schizolaena parvipetala grows as a shrub or small tree up to 6 metres (20 ft) tall.

Its twigs are glabrous, occasionally pubescent with small lenticels.

The inflorescences bear two to four flowers, each with three sepals and five white petals.

[3] Schizolaena parvipetala is known only from the southeastern coastal region of Anosy.

[2] Its habitat is lowland humid forest from sea-level to about 500 m (1,600 ft) altitude.