A beautiful semi-deciduous tree with an open rounded crown. In South Africa, Philenoptera violacea is found growing naturally in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. Although this tree is initially slow growing, it can reach a mature height of 15m when growing conditions are favourable.

The leaves of this tree are compound with one to three pairs of leaflets, they are glossy above and grey-green beneath with prominent midribs. The common name ‘Apple leaf’ is believed to have come from the sound the leaves make when crushed. This tree flowers from September to December. The sweetly fragranced flowers appear in sprays of 120-300mm long at the tips of the branches. These flowers appear before or together with the new green-grey leathery leaves. The large amounts of nectar produced by the tree attract some birds and insects. After flowering, fruit appears in form of flat non-splitting pods. The pods contain two to three kidney-shaped seeds.

Philenoptera violacea is drought hardy but frost sensitive. It is an excellent tree for fodder tree for cattle and game. The tree is frequently attacked by the spittle bug or frog-hopper, which causes exudation of water from stem and branches to such an extent that the ground or area covered by this plant is wet, allowing it to use the moisture in drought conditions. The Apple-leaf makes an interesting street tree as it gives a stunning display when in flower. The root system is not invasive.