Semi-deciduous tree, up to 15 m tall. Leaves pinnate, with 2 pairs of glands at base; blade ovate to lanceolate, somewhat curved on one side; base oblique; margin serrate, glabrous. Inflorescence a panicle. Flowers hermaphrodite or male on same individual. Calyx 5-lobed. Petals 5, free. Staminal tube cylindrical, slightly expanded at mouth, terminated by 10 appendages, sometimes bilobed; anthers 10; disc annular, united with base of ovary. Ovary 3-locular, stylar head with three stigmatic lobes. Fruit a single-seeded drupe. Seeds with small adaxial sarcotesta.

Commonly found in dry habitats on infertile soil, where it grows naturally from sea level to an altitude of 2,000 m.a.s.l. Grows rapidly in small plantations in dry habitats. Propagated by seed sowing; seedlings are transplanted into permanent sites at a spacing of 3 × 4 m.
At the end of the rainy season, young shoots and young inflorescences are harvested and eaten raw, or steamed and dipped in sweet and sour or hot sauce. Commonly used in a spicy, sour shrimp salad, yum sadao kung sod. Its bitter taste makes it one of the most popular vegetables indigenous to Thailand, where it is sold at high prices.