Murraya paniculata is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree with a fine-textured, compact crown. It grows from 1.8 - 12 metres tall with a clear bole that can be 2.5 metres long and 60cm in diameter.

The tree has a wide range of uses. It is valued especially for its essential oil; for the yellow heartwood of larger specimens; and its range of medicinal uses. It is cultivated in India for medicinal use, is often grown as a hedge and is widely planted in the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental, where it is valued especially for the intense orange-blossom fragrance of its flowers and its small red fruits. 

The flowers are used for scenting tea. The leaves are used to flavour curries.