Lonomea is a simple leafed tree that grows from twenty to fifty feet high and has dense foilage at the top. The narrow leaves are oval shaped, similar to mango leaves, and are 2-5 inches long. The buff colored flowers occur in clusters and the fleshy fruit is oblong and a brown black color.
Also know as the Oahu soapberry it is thought that Hawaiians may have used this fruit diluted with water for soap as was common in Central America. The medium strength pale wood was used for fuel and flowers and seeds usde for making lei.