This species is distinctive in its narrowly cylindrical or narrowly pyramidal inflorescences often pendulous on elongated, supra-axillary branches. This inflorescence arrangement is also found in Gaertnera diversifolia of Asia, which differs in its dioecious 5-merous flowers. This species seems to show well marked clinal variation in particular in stipule lobe size and inflorescence shape and size; the type specimen represents a plant from the northern part of its range.

Madagascar, in Toamasina and Antsiranana provinces in humid forests at 150-500 m.