Teak is a large, deciduous tree that can grow up to 40 meters (131 feet) tall, characterized by shades of brown branches. The leaves are ovate-elliptical to ovate, measuring 15–45 cm (5.9–17.7 in) in length and 8–23 cm (3.1–9.1 in) in width, with robust petioles that are 2–4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) long. The leaf margins are entire.


From June to August, fragrant white flowers appear in panicles that are 25–40 cm (10–16 in) long and 30 cm (12 in) wide. The corolla tube of the flowers is 2.5–3 mm long with 2 mm wide obtuse lobes. Tectona grandis, the scientific name for teak, sets fruit from September to December. The fruits are globose, measuring 1.2-1.8 cm in diameter.

The flowers are weakly protandrous, meaning the anthers mature before the stigma, with pollen being shed within a few hours of the flower opening. They are primarily entomophilous, pollinated by insects, though they can occasionally be anemophilous, or wind-pollinated. A study conducted in 1996 found that in Thailand, species in the Ceratina genus of bees are the major pollinators.

Teak heartwood is yellowish and darkens with age, sometimes developing dark patches. It has a distinct scent when freshly cut. The sapwood is whitish to pale yellowish brown and can easily separate from the heartwood. The wood is hard, ring-porous, and has a density of 720 kg/m3.