A shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall, branches unarmed or with a few straight prickles. Leaves paripinnate, rachis 10—40 cm long, with 5—9 pairs of pinnae, stipules subulate, minute, caducous, leaflets opposite, 6—12 pairs per pinna, base unequal, rounded, apex rounded to retuse; raceme or panicle axillary and terminal, 20—50 cm long. Flowers bisexual, sepals 10—15 mm x 5—7 mm, petals 10—25 mm x 6—8 mm, stamens very far exserted, ovary with 8—12 ovules. Pod 6—12 cm x 1.5—2 cm, 8—10-seeded. Seeds are slightly rectangular, brown or black.

Used as a purgative and abortifacient (infusion of leaves); emmenagogue and abortifacient (roots); astringent (fruit)

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation
Philippine Medicinal Plants

Leucodelphinidin, myricitrin (plant); benzoic acid, gallic acid, HCN, myricetol, tannin (leaves); beta-sitosterol, lupeol, lupeol acetate, myricetin, quercetin, rutin (flower); ellagic acid (bark).

Used as a mouthwash for teeth or gums (infusion of the bark); as a remedy for colds and fevers (decoction of roots); to relieve constipation (leaves); used for colds, fevers, skin ailments and purging (infusion of leaves); as mouth wash and gargle for mouth ulcers (decoction of leaves); for erysipelas and inflammation of the eyes (decoction of flowers)