The plant is hermaphroditic and can grow up to 20 m tall with a trunk diameter of 1 m or more. Its plate roots develop in the spring. The bark is light grayish brown with a smooth surface, but streaks and cracks can occur with age, and the bark peels off on old trees. The leaves are alternatively arranged, oval or narrow oval, 4 to 10 cm long, with serrated edges that taper to a point. The leaf stems are wedge-shaped and have three veins. The leaves are thin, and the surface has fine bristles that are rough like sandpaper. The Aphananthe aspera blooms in the spring with both male and female flowers. The flowers are light green and appear at the base of the leaves. After flowering, the plant produces a green fruit (nucleus) that is 7 to 12 mm in diameter.