A smooth, climbing shrub reaching a length of 10 meters or more. The branches are armed with short, stout, hard, hooked prickles. Leaves are bipinnate and 20 to 30 centimeters long, and the rachis are armed with recurved spines beneath. The pinnae are 6 to 8, and rather distant; leaflets are 4 to 6 on each pinna, leathery, shinning, ovate to elliptic-ovate, 2 to 5 centimeters long, and pointed at the tip. Flowers are yellow, borne in terminal and ample panicles, and about 1 centimeter in diameter. Pod is 4 to 5 centimeters long, 2.5 to 3 centimeters wide, beaked, hard, and indehiscent, and contains a single seed.

Emetic (decoction from the crushed seeds); diuretic (roots); uterine tonic (powdered leaves).

Bureau of Plant Industry

A decoction from the crushed seeds is used for dysentery. The roots are used in cases of gravel and stone in the bladder. Externally and internally the juice of the stem and roasted fruit has been used in a eye diseases.