Chionanthus pachyphyllus grows as a tree up to 22m (72feet) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 20cm (10inches). The bark is light brown. The flowers are yellow. The specific epithet pachyphyllus is from the Greek meaning 'thick leaf'. Habitat is forests from sea level to 1500m (4,900feet) altitude. C. pachyphyllus is endemic to Borneo.