This is a large, evergreen, forest tree that can easily grow to a height of 20 to 35 m under favourable conditions. The stem is tall, broad with a dense crown. The bark is smooth and pale yellowy grey, often cracked into tiny squares and finely flaking. The stems of the larger trees are buttressed. The leaves are compound and about 100 to 300 mm long. The leaflets in each compound leaf are in 3 to 4 pairs plus a terminal one. They are smooth and shiny, bright to dark green, with veins looping to the margin. The leaves are smaller, more rounded and fewer than those of Millettia grandis.

The flowers are pea-shaped, bright pink, purple or mauve, in conspicuous sprays up to 150 mm long, in midsummer (from December to January). The fruits are large, light brown, velvety pods, hanging from branchlets and up to 120 mm long, dehiscent and release flat, shiny, oblong seeds in late summer to autumn (from February to April). Old pods may remain on tree for longer.