A handsome, broad-topped, slow-growing tree, up to 80 ft (25 m) in height, with furrowed trunk to 30 in (75 cm) in diameter, and black bark. Leaves are evergreen, alternate, elliptic-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, tapered at both ends or rounded at the base and bluntly acute at the apex, are leathery, glossy, 4 to 12 in (10-30 cm) long. Flowers, borne singly or in groups of 3 to 7 in the leaf axils, are tubular, lobed, white, 3/8 to 5/8 in (1-1.6 cm) wide, with persistent green calyx; some have both male and female organs, large calyx lobes and are faintly fragrant; others are solely male and have a pronounced gardenia-like scent and a few black specks in the throat of the corolla. Fruit is bright-green and shiny at first; oblate or nearly round; 2 to 5 in (5-12.5 cm) wide; with a prominent, 4-lobed, undulate calyx, 1 1/2 to 2 in (4-5 cm) across, clasping the base.

Astringent (unripe fruit); Employed as an astringent and taken internally as a febrifuge (leaf decoction).

Center for New Crops & Plant Products, at Purdue University
PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, niacin, riboflavin (fruits)

The crushed bark and leaves are applied as a blistering poultice. Various preparations are used against leprosy, ringworm and itching skin conditions.