Alahe‘e is a large shrub or small tree with dark glossy leaves. Flowering several times a year, large numbers of small white flowers are produced that are highly fragrant. Slow growing and found in dry to mesic shrublands and forests, alahe‘e can be an excellent landscaping plant as it is both drought and shade tolerant. At Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine, this plant spreads naturally, although very slowly.

The wood is hard and durable and was used in tools for tilling the soil and as an adze blade to cut softer woods, such as wiliwili and kukui. The leaves were used to produce a black dye.