Fast-growing solitary tree with a semi-open, broad, fan-shaped crown on a short trunk. The smooth bark is dark grey and has lenticels. Twigs are olive green, with velvety hair, and have small, whitish lenticels. They turn greyish brown the second year. The imparipinnate leaves consist of 5 - 9 opposed leaf segments and are 20 – 35 cm long. Each leaflet is ovoid and tapers to a point, 5 -12 cm long with a short stem. The upper side of the leaf is dark green while the underside is light green. Aromatic white flowers, each 0.3 – 0.5 cm, grow in broad, pyramidal plumes of 10 – 15 cm. Reddish purple to black fruit appears after flowering. For a long time, this tree was known as Euodia hupehensis, but now it is considered a variety of T. daniellii. Tetradium daniellii var. hupehensis is a tree valued for its abundant summer flowers and the decorative dark-coloured fruits that appear in the autumn.