Barringtonia pendula grows as a tree up to 47 metres (150 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 90 centimetres (35 in). The bark is reddish brown. The fruits are ovoid or musiform (banana-shaped), up to 15 cm (6 in) long. The specific epithet pendula is from the Latin meaning "dangling", referring to the inflorescence. Its habitat is dipterocarp forest from sea-level to 1,200 metres (4,000 ft) altitude. B. pendula is found in China, Burma, Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.