Shrubs to small trees , 2-5.5(-10) m. Bark dark brown, smooth when young, developing small, warty projections in maturity. Branchlets copiously pubescent. Leaf blade ovate to narrowly ovate, 5-6.5(-9) × 2.5-4(-4.5) cm, base oblique to cordate, margins evenly serrate, apex acute to long-acuminate; abaxial surface softly, velvety white-pubescent; venation conspicuous but scarcely raised. Flowers: calyx greenish white. Fruits bright red-orange to yellow, 1.5-3.5 mm diam. 2 n = 20 (from Costa Rica).

Flowering most of year (Mar-Nov). Hammocks and prairies, often weedy along roadsides, in burned areas, and on calcareous ground; 0-100 m; Fla.; Mexico; West Indies; Central America; South America.

Trema micrantha , as interpreted here, is widespread in tropical regions of the New World. Small-leaved populations may be confused with T . lamarckiana .

The soft wood of Trema micrantha is suitable for the construction of tea chests and match sticks.