Tree to big tree which may reach 5-25 m of height, young branches with a squared sides. Small and dense canopy. Leaves having petioles with a leaf blade widely elliptic and oblong0f 4.5 – 35 cm long and 2.5 – 25 cm wide.The stipules are red. The flowers are confined in globular capitulum. They are green yellow, odorant and partially covered with yellowish hairs. The fruits are  ellipsoidal capsules.

Leaves and roots are used to produce medicines against malaria. TMPs in Rwanda use Mitragyna rubrostipulata in combination with other medicinal plants to treat different other diseases. Gapasi Serushago uses it to treat uro-genital infesctions known as “ ifumbi”,  Mitari Emmanuel uses the plant to treat the pounding headache in combination with Clematis hirsuta (roots) and Biophycum helenae whole plant. The barks of this plant are used by Gapasi Serushago to treat inflammation okf the prostate.

 poles, firewqood.