A shrub, sometimes with a creeping rootstock, or semi-woody branches or tree, 1—5(—10) m tall, young twigs glabrous. Leaves (1—)2 or 3(—4)-pinnate, leaflets numerous, rachis up to 50 cm long, petiole (5—)10—20(—25) cm long, stipules obovate, 2—4(—6) cm x (1—)1.5—3 cm, early caducous, glabrous, leaflets ovate to ovate-lanceolate or elliptical to elliptical-lanceolate, (3—)8—20(—30) cm x (1.5—)3—8(—14) cm, base cuneate to rounded, apex (long-)acuminate, margin repand to denticulate, pearl-glands small, inconspicuous, caducous. Cyme (3—)10—25(—40) cm long, lax or compact, rusty pubescent, bracts ovate to deltoid, up to 3 mm long; flowers red to reddish-orange, calyx about 1—3 mm x 2—4 mm, glabrous to pubescent, staminodial tube red to citrous-white, about 2—3 mm long, upper free part 1.5—2.5 mm long, lobes shallowly retuse, notched or cleft, sinuses shallow, ovary (4—)6(—8)-celled. Berry 5—15 mm in diameter, red, 6-seeded. Seed 6 mm x 5 mm.

Considered as a vulnerary (decoction of roots, twigs and leaves); haemostatic (pounded roots).

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Externally applied as poultices on muscular pains, arthritis and rheumatism, and roasted and applied to the head for vertigo (leaves); externally applied to rheumatism, localised oedema, as well as to abscesses and furuncles, to mature them, and to wounds to stop bleeding and to promote healing (pounded roots).