Emergent tree of the rain forest and deciduous forest, up to 50 m tall and 150 cm Ø. Crown rather globular, spreading widely, with foliage rather tufted at the end of the branchlets. Bole clear and straight, when young with upward pointing thorns. Buttresses very well-developed, thin, wide-spreading, convex and often wavy. Bark dark-reddish brown, usually smooth with numerous small lenticels. Slash hard and thin, brittle, reddish – orange on the outside, exuding a little clear sap soon after cutting, with a distinct musky smell. Leaves simple, alternate, with long, pointed stipules that envelop the terminal bud and leave a circular scar on the twig. Many fine ± parallel lateral Fruit a hard, depressed drupe, 3 – 5 cm thick, 5 – 8 cm across, often five-seeded. Seeds are very oily. See also PROTA database.