Large tree; bark either peeling in ribbons to expose completely smooth, white to grey trunk, or persistent, rough and hard in lower part. Juvenile lvs opposite, sessile, lanceolate or lanceolate-ovate; base cordate. Adult lvs with petiole 5–15 mm long; lamina 6–20 × 0.8–2 cm, linear or linear-lanceolate, generally ± falcate, concolorous, subcoriaceous; marginal vein distinct; lateral veins diverging at c. 45° from midrib; base cuneate, symmetric; apex finely acuminate. Fls axillary, in clusters of 3; peduncles c. 5 mm long, subterete or flattened; pedicels to 3 mm long. Buds 5–8 mm long, conic-ovate, green, obtuse or subacute; operculum nearly = hypanthium. Stamens white; anthers oblong. Fr. pedicellate or subsessile, 5–7.5 × 5–7 mm, globular or broadly turbinate; valves 3–4, slightly to prominently exserted; disc 1–1.5 mm wide, prominent, convex.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Flowering: Jul.–Apr.