Big pioneer tree in rainforest zone, very common in secondary forests, rarely over 50 cm Ø; long, tufted leaves in terminal clusters. Base of the stem straight or low root spurs, lower stem with broad-based thorns ending in a sharp prickle, disappearing on older trees; twigs and petioles with small thorns. Leaves pinnate with alternate or (sub)opposite leaflets, to 100 cm long, with about 15 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets to 15 cm long, very asymmetric at base, many with prominent basal glands, often with recurved prickles on the midrib below; blade with translucent points. Fruits little capsules of about 5 mm Ø, in dense panicles. See also PROTA database. Syn.: Fagara macrophylla/Fagara tessmannii.