Tabernaemontana elegans grows up to 15 metres (50 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 30 centimetres (12 in).

Its fragrant flowers feature white, creamy or pale yellow corolla lobes.

Tabernaemontana elegans grows in forests or bushland from sea level to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) altitude.

The species is native to Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and South Africa.

[4] The Zulu name for this genus, iNomfi, refers to the use of their sticky, milky latex as bird-lime.