Evergreen shrub up to 2m, coppicing after fire, often multi-stemmed from the ground. Leaves resinous on longish stalks are trifoliate, leaflets sessile (without stalks), shiny bright-green above, duller below, obovate to spoon-shaped; male and female flowers on separate plants (dioceous), small, pale-yellow flowers in panicles. Fruit not hairy, round and shiny, only having one seed per fruit.

The leaves are frequently found with numerous galls caused by a moth which deposits its eggs in the tissue of the leaflets. In November and December the galls split open and the larva cases drop to the ground. The larva need to reach a shady spot for further development, and this is effected by a sort of jumping movement, hence the name Jumping Bean.

Latin: luceo = to shine, be bright; referring to the shiny appearance of the leaves.

The wood is extremely tough (Afrik: taai) and the branches are flaccid (Afrik: slap) hence common name Slaptaaibos

The family Anarcardiaceae also includes the trees of the Mango, Pistachio and Cashew Nut.