Trimeria grandifolia subsp. grandifolia is a small to medium-sized tree, that grows 3 to 10 m tall. It is semi-deciduous, they lose their foliage for a very short period, when the old leaves fall off and new foliage growth is starting. The bark is grey-brown and smooth when young, becoming flaky as it ages.

The leaves are simple, large, alternate and almost circular or broadly obovate, 40–110 mm wide, with a dentate margin of ‘saw-like’ teeth, a pointed drip tip and 5–9 distinct veins that start from the leaf base. The young leaves are velvety and lose the hairs with maturity, becoming shiny and dark green.

The inconspicuous flowers are small, greenish white, with parts in 4 or 5, in both male and female flowers, as they are unisexual (having either stamens or pistils, but not both) and are borne on separate trees, from early spring to midsummer (Aug. –Feb.).

Male inflorescence is a panicle, up to 90 mm long.

Female inflorescence is a spike, sometimes branched, up to 80 mm long.

The fruit is a small, berry-like capsule, in tight clusters that resembles a mulberry, turning yellow to bright pinkish red in late summer to autumn, from February to April. Fruits split to release 1 or 2, black seeds with a red aril.

This tree can be confused with the forest raisin (Grewia lasiocarpa) when not in flower or fruit, but they can be told apart by the number of veins in the leaf, the forest raisin having no more than 3. It also superficially resembles the mulberries (Morus spp.) but they are not related.