Melicope pallida, a member of the Rutaceae (rue) family, is a 6- to 10-m (20- to 33-ft) tree with grayish white hairs and black, resinous new growth. The leaves, 6 to 21 cm (2.4 to 8.3 in) long and 2.5 to 8 cm (1 to 3.1 in) wide, are grouped in threes, with each leaf loosely folded. Fifteen to 35 pale yellowish-green flowers are also clustered in groups of 3 along a fuzzy white stalk up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long. The petals are usually lance-shaped and measure 3.5 to 5 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) long. Fruits contain two shiny black seeds about 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long in each of the usually four distinct carpels.