Olea brachiata grows as a shrub or small tree up to 10 metres (30 ft) tall, with a stem diameter of up to 5 centimetres (2 in). The twigs are pale brown. The flowers are dull white. Fruit ripens to purple-black. The specific epithet brachiata is from the Latin meaning "branched", referring to the decussate inflorescence. O. brachiata is native to China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.