[2] The specific epithet rufum is from the Latin meaning 'reddish', referring to the colour of the twig hairs.

[3] Xanthophyllum rufum grows as a shrub (rarely) or tree up to 40 metres (130 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 50 centimetres (20 in).

The yellowish-green fruits are round and measure up to 2 cm (1 in) in diameter.

[3] Xanthophyllum rufum grows naturally in Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.

Its habitat is lowland mixed dipterocarp or riverine forests from sea-level to 300 metres (1,000 ft) altitude.