Pleomele fernaldii, a member of the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family, is a tree 6 to 8 m (19 to 26 ft) tall, usually few branched. Its leaves are spirally clustered toward the ends of branches and are long and strap-like, 17 to 40 cm (6.7 to 15.7 in) long, 1.2 to 2.3 cm (0.5 to 0.9 in) wide, gradually tapering in upper one-third. Panicles (branched inflorescences with hanging flowers on the second branches) are slender, slightly waxy, about 24 to 44 cm (9.4 to 17.3 in) long, the lower lateral branches about 5 to 10 cm (1.9 to 4 in) long, stalks 8 to 13 cm (3.1 to 5.1 in) long, and abruptly recurved. Flower petals are greenish-yellow and 23 to 30 mm (0.9 to 1.2 in) long. Berries are bright red, about 8 to 12 mm (0.3 to 0.5 in) long containing 1 to 3 seeds.