The tree grows to 15m tall sometimes branched at the base, thus forming multiple trunks. Roots run along the ground surface and often knotted and covered with lenticels. Tomlinson notes that the tree does not have root systems obviously specialised for mangroves and that it is also found to an elevation of 400m and he says they thus cannot be regarded as an exclusively mangrove tree. Bark grey, smooth but warty, becoming fissured. Lenticels are prominent on young twigs.
Leaves thick, oval and pointed (5-10cm long), arranged alternately in a spiral. Young leaves are pink, old leaves turn yellow then red before dropping off. Leaves usually drop off after dry weather.
Flowers are tiny (less than 1mm). Trees bear either male or female flowers, never both. Male flowers start as upright narrow cones when young and as they develop, elongate into longer spikes (5-10cm) that eventually form drooping yellow tassels. Male flowers are said to be "very scented". Female flowers appear in shorter spikes. According to Tomlinson the flowers are pollinated by insects as the pollen is sticky. Bees are common visitors and may be the chief pollinators.
The fruits are small (less than 1cm) three-lobed, green turning black as they ripen into dry capsules. Each capsule is made up of three portions, containing tiny dark to black seeds.
The colourful Mangrove shield bug (Calliphara nobilis) feeds on the seeds of this tree and is often seen in large numbers when the tree is fruiting. It is the preferred local food plant for the caterpillars of the moths, Achaea janatas,Iscadia pulchra, Selepa celtis, and of the genus Archips, Phyllocnistis, andSauris.