Tabernaemontana pauciflora grows as a shrub or small tree up to 6 metres (20 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 10 centimetres (4 in). The bark is pale grey to grey-brown. Inflorescences bear up to 15 flowers. The fragrant flowers feature white, sometimes yellow-throated, corolla lobes. Fruit is orange or yellow with paired follicles, up to 6 centimetres (2 in) in diameter. The specific epithet pauciflora is from the Latin meaning "few-flowered". T. pauciflora is found in Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.