A shrub, treelet or less frequently a small tree up to 10 m tall, young branches usually densely hairy. Leaves 1—3-pinnate, leaflets 5—numerous, rachis 7—20(—25) cm long, petiole (5—)8—14(—20) cm long, stipules oblong-obovate 1.5—4.5 cm x 3—6(—10) cm, pubescent to densely hairy, leaflets ovate to ovate-lanceolate or elliptical to elliptical-lanceolate, (3—)10—22(—30) cm x (1.5—)4—8(—12) cm, base cuneate to truncate, sometimes unequal, apex acuminate, margin serrate, pearl-gland rounded to discoidal, large, conspicuous and brown. Cyme 4—14(—20) cm long, rusty pubescent to hairy, bracts up to 8 mm x 5 mm, conspicuous; flowers greenish white, calyx about 4 mm x 4 mm, glabrous to pubescent, usually with pearl-glands, staminodial tube about 2 mm long, upper free part 1.5—2 mm long, lobes deeply notched, sinuses shallow, ovary 4—7-celled. Berry 8—15 mm in diameter, orange-red, 5—6-seeded. Seed 4—6 mm across.

Antiseptic (leaves and twigs)

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation
Ayurveda Kala Mandiram

The sap obtained from young shoots is ground with ashes and applied to cleanse wounds. Leaves and twigs are used for poulticing wounds. Decoction of whole plant is used with that of Achyranthes aspera to treat insomnia.