Decumbent shrub to small or medium-sized tree, 2-15 m tall, up to 20-25 cm diam. Foliage buds 1-1.5 mm long and 1.5 mm in diam.; primary bud-scales 0.6 mm wide. Juvenile leaves oval, 2-3.5 cm by 5-7 mm. Adult leaves ovate, the widest part somewhat beyond the centre, 1-2 cm by 3-6 mm, round and very blunt at the apex, narrowing at the base to a 2-3 mm petiole, revolute, crowded, flushing red, at least sometimes glaucous; midrib above a distinct ridge 0.2 mm wide. Pollen cones 1-2 cm long, often elongating in the basal scaly part to 1-2 mm. Female receptacle becoming purple when mature. Seed with its covering with a distinct crest.
A medium-sized tree in the forest or more often dwarfed or even decumbent on mountain crests in stunted mossy forests, often locally common, (500-) 1000-2800 m. Recorded from stony, sandy clay and from a limestone ridge associated with Gymnostoma and Rhododendron, near Kiunga and Wissel Lakes (New Guinea) on peaty soil.
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