The shiny tops of ripening Phylica oleifolia fruit reveal their three-lobed structure in outline seen from above. In profile the fruits resemble cupcakes, ridged with bulging embellishments in a ring around the top. The circumference ring and ridges to the base are remains of the calyx. The capsule becomes 8 mm to 10 mm in diameter.

The spelling of the scientific name seems to have changed from oleaefolia to oleifolia. Whether the common name, glossy hard-leaf, refers to these fruits as would be appropriate, or some other plant feature is uncertain (Le Roux, et al, 2005; Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist).