Tabernaemontana stapfiana grows as a medium-sized tree. Its flowers feature white with yellow-throated corolla lobes. Fruit is fleshy grey-green, in pairs, each up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in diameter and weighing up to several kilograms. Vernacular names for the plant include "soccerball fruit". Habitat is montane evergreen forests from 700 metres (2,300 ft) to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) altitude. The plant is native to Tanzania, Burundi, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.