A tree which reaches a height of 30-40 ft (9-12 m) with a rounded crown. Leaves are lanceolate, 4 to 9 inches in length by 2 inches wide, narrow and elliptic in shape and gradually taper to a point, shiny and pink when they first emerge, fading to pale green. Flowers are large and showy, white to pale cream and sweetly scented, 2 - 4 inches wide and consist mostly of about 300 conspicuous stamens to 1-1/3 inches long, usually 4 or 5 flowers together in terminal clusters. Fruits are 1 - 2 inches wide, almost round or a little longer than wide. When ripe they may be greenish or dull-yellow flushed with pink.
Herb Effects
Used as a tonic or a diuretic (fruit); diuretic and expectorant (leaf decoction); febrifuge (juice of macerated leaves); emetic and cathartic (bark)
A sweetened preparation of the flowers is believed to reduce fever. The seeds are employed against diarrhea, dysentery and catarrh. An infusion of roasted, powdered seeds is beneficial to diabetics. The leaf decoction is applied to sore eyes and used in treatment for rheumatism. Powdered leaves have been rubbed on the bodies of smallpox patients for the cooling effect. The decoction of bark is administered to relieve asthma, bronchitis and hoarseness. The root is considered as a remedy for epilepsy.
Health Remedies 
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