Rain forest tree to 25 m high and 40 cm Ø with a long cylindrical stem and a crown of short, horizontally spreading branches. The base with low, sharp root spurs and channelled. Branches black with rusty brown lenticels. Bark grey, fissured or with longitudinal stripes. Slash with fibrous and granular streaks, sponghy or crumbly, contoured with yellow and brown, darkening over time; fragrant; bark not easily peelable. Leaves velvety brown beneath, hairy with erect hairs. Petiole 0 – 3 mm; blade lanceolate – oblong, base rounded, apex acute, 6 – 13 x 2 – 4 cm, with up to 12 pairs of laterals that often fork. See also PROTA database. Syn.: Xylopiastrum villosum.