An evergreen climber, 2—4 m long, stem ridged, often reddish when young, hairy mainly at nodes, tendrils 2—3-fid, usually glabrous, tuber small or absent, root system large. Leaves pedate, usually 5-foliolate, petiole 4—8 cm long, central leaflet broadly lanceolate to ovate, 6—10 cm x 3—5.5 cm, lateral leaflets ovate, 3—7(—11) cm x 2—3.5 cm, margins serrate, both surfaces pubescent. Inflorescence axillary, cymose corymbiform, primary branches 3, 6—12 cm x 3—4 cm, peduncle 4—8 cm long. Flowers small, greenish-white to yellowish. Berry subglobose, up to 1 cm in diameter, purplish-blue to black, sometimes white, 2—4-seeded.

Used as an antidote (stem bark).

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Boiled leaves, together with onion and lime, are applied to the head for violent headaches. The dried and powdered flowers might be employed for fever. The aerial parts are applied for fever and malaria.