A spiny, succulent shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall, main stem 4-5-ribbed, branches 3-ribbed, with 3-5 mm long, readily caducous spines on the exsculptate ribs. Leaves early caducous, oblong-obovate, 4-15(-30) cm long, apex rounded with a recurved mucro. Inflorescence borne on the exsculptate ribs, composed of 3-7 cyathia on short, rigid, forked peduncles, bracts 2-7 mm long; cyathia with 5 shiny yellow glands, 3.5-4.5 mm broad, anthers red. Capsule obtusely trigonous, ovoid, 4-7 mm in diameter, smooth.

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Used to treat earache (latex); applied as a poultice to boils (pounded leaves).