Wikstroemia ovata grows as a shrub or small tree up to 5m (16feet) tall. Inflorescences bear up to 20 greenish-yellow flowers. The fruits are roundish to ellipsoid, up to 11NaN1 long. The specific epithet ovata is from the Latin meaning 'egg-shaped', referring to the leaves. Habitat is thickets and forests from sea level to 800m (2,600feet) altitude. W. ovata is found in Borneo and the Philippines.