Dendrocnide peltata is a dioecious rainforest tree. Often recognized as a small, sub-canopy tree, it may grow to be a large canopy tree up to 30 m high. The trunk grows up to a diameter of 650 mm, and is usually crooked and lacking buttresses, while the bark is green or grey in color, and rough, scaly or flaky in texture.

The large leaves, which are broadly ovate, usually peltate, rounded at the base, crenate, acute to acuminate, dark green above and pale green beneath, are clustered at the ends of the branches. The small flowers grow as axillary inflorescences. The fruits are about 20 mm long, green or brown, with the seeds about 2 mm in diameter.