A thorny liana, up to 30 m long, with a rough, peeling bark, bright to dark red heartwood and whitish sapwood. Leaves alternate, 15—20 cm long, compound; leaflets 5—9, alternate, ovate-lanceolate, 5—9 cm x 2—4 cm, glabrous. Inflorescence an axillary panicle, 7.5—10 cm long, with numerous white flowers, calyx campanulate with 5 teeth, stamens 10. Fruit a flattened-obovoid pod, 2—5 cm x 1.5 cm, indehiscent. Seeds 1—2, reniform.

Used as a tonic (decoction of wood).

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Nerolidol, farnesol and furfurol (wood essential oil)

A red, sticky oil from the wood is applied to ulcerated wounds. Grated wood is rubbed on the skin to invigorate the body.