The specific epithet adenotus is from the Greek meaning 'gland', referring to the leaf glands.

[2] Xanthophyllum adenotus grows as a shrub or tree up to 15 metres (50 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 25 centimetres (10 in).

The flowers are pinkish to pale violet, drying dark red.

The pale or reddish-brown fruits are round and measure up to 1.8 cm (1 in) in diameter.

Its habitat is mixed dipterocarp forests from sea-level to 700 metres (2,300 ft) altitude.