Tree c. 20 m high, dense crown and with massive trunk. Bark grey. Leaves dark glossy green above and lacking red spot at petiole insertion on upper side, although this is present in saplings. Flowers fragant; perianth white, outer whorl of segments 7-8 mm long, lanceolate; inner segments 5-6 mm long, ± linear-lanceolate, all ± patent. Stamens orange yellow. Stigmas thick, pink. Fruit fleshy and bladder-like and containing the loose drupe and enclosed seed; bladder 3.5-4 x 4-4.5 cm, glossy white. Drupe containing seed c. 2.5 x 1.7-1.8 cm, black, with 8 subacute ribs, ± broad ellipsoid with a turban or bun-like top c. 1 cm across the flattened summit [see diagram]. Seed 15-17 mm diameter, subglobose, with 8 lines corresponding to carpel ribs.