Trees to 15 m tall; trunk to 30 cm d.b.h., much branched; branchlets usually opposite or ± whorled, erect-spreading, pale brown, glabrous or puberulent. Foliage buds 1.5-3 × 1.5-2 mm; primary scales lanceolate, ± spreading at apex. Leaves alternate, subopposite, or rarely ± whorled, crowded, dispersed ± evenly on branchlets; blade ± linear (sun leaves) or ovate (shade leaves), 1.5-3 cm × 5-8 mm, 3-6 × as long as wide, base narrowed into a short petiole ca. 2 mm, margin slightly revolute (sun leaves), apex ± acute, midvein narrow abaxially, wider adaxially, base narrowed, margin flat, apex obtuse. Pollen cones axillary, solitary or borne in clusters of 2 or 3, cylindric, 1-3 cm × 1.5-3 mm, with a cluster of ca. 6 small, triangular scales at base; microsporophylls with short, triangular apex to 0.5 mm. Seed-bearing structures solitary; peduncle 0.5-1 cm. Receptacle red when ripe, consisting of 2 bracts, ca. 1 cm, base with 2 sterile, lanceolate bracts ca. 2 mm. Epimatium green and dark violet when ripe, leathery. Seed globose or globose-ellipsoid, ca. 8 × 6 mm, not crested. Pollination Jun, seed maturity Oct.

Podocarpus wangii was identified in FRPS as P. brevifolius (Stapf) Foxworthy, which is in fact endemic to Mt. Kinabalu in Malaysia (Sabah). Several authors include P. wangii in the synonymy of P. pilgeri Foxworthy, from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. R. R. Mill has not seen specimens of P. wangii, but notes that the description and illustration in the protologue appear to match authentic material of P. pilgeri, except that the pollen cones are described as being shorter, and are sometimes borne in clusters of 2, rather than strictly solitary as in P. pilgeri throughout the rest of its range. An assessment of the status of P. wangii would be desirable.

The wood is used for making furniture, utensils, carts, and farm implements.

* Damp, shady places in evergreen broad-leaved forests or subalpine forests, rock crevices; 700-2000 m. S Guangdong, W Guangxi (Jingxi), Hainan (Diaoluo Shan, Limu Ling, Lingshui Xian, Wuzhi Shan), SE Yunnan (Malipo Xian, Xichou Xian)