Alahe'e is often compared to the mock orange, but the two can be distinguished by Alahe'e's narrower petals, the same number of stamens as petals, and the distinctive glossy and fleshy Alahe'e fruit.

The name Alahe'e means "slippery like the octopus" in Hawaiian. The wood of this tree/shrub is very hard and was used to make many items including spears that were used for hunting octopus, adzes, and fishing hooks. The leaves have been used to make a black dye. The seeds of alahe'e are often attacked by the Objurgatella moth (Orneodes objurgatella).