A medium-sized deciduous tree, usually 9 to 18 m tall; bark grey or dark brown, horizontally furrowed, exfoliating in large, flat scales. Leaves simple pinnate, 30 to 60 cm long; leaflets 3 to 4 pairs plus the terminal one, broadly elliptic, apex shortly abruptly acuminate, margins often serrulate when young, rough above, often pubescent beneath. Flowers sweetly fragrant borne in large, lax trichotomous viscidly hairy panicles. Fruit (Capsule) cylindrical, slightly ribbed, usually straight, 30 to 60 cm long and 1.7 cm in diameter, somewhat rough with elevated whitish specks.

The root is bitter, astringent, cardiotonic, cooling, diuretic and tonic.

It is used to treat inflammations, vomiting, dyspepsia, flatulence, asthma, fevers, anasarca, diseases of the blood and distaste. A decoction of the roots is sued to treat a variety of conditions, including intermittent and puerperal fevers, inflammatory chest affections, and affections of the brain. The root bark is generally used in combination with other plant drugs.

Sharma PV. Classical Uses of Medicinal Plants.