An evergreen, large shrub or small tree that grows up to a height of 2 to 8 m. The stem is quite straight and slender. The bark is a pale grey-brown, very rough, fissured and corky especially on older stems, with a poisonous, watery or milky sap present. The leaves are opposite, leathery, shiny dark green above and paler beneath, with an entire margin, rolled under and tapering to a tip and are usually in whorls of 3 or 4.

The heavily scented yellowish white flowers are in compact, terminal clusters at the ends of the branches and appear throughout the year with a peak during spring (October). Fruit is paired, woody capsules that are held erect on the twigs, splitting open on the plant and releasing a number of papery-winged seeds in late summer (December-June). The wood is light yellow-brown, heavy and hard and is used for engraving and for fine inlay work.