It is a large evergreen tree with about 16 m in height and dark grey bark. Leaves are coriaceous, shining, elliptic and glabrous with undulate margins. The flowers are white and fragrant in axillary fascicles of 2 to 6 flowers and drooping. Calyx-lobes are 8 and ovate-lanceolate. Corolla lobes are in 2 circles in 2 series, the inner one is consisting of 8 to 10 lobes. Stamens are 8 and the ovary is hairy and 6 to 8 celled. The fruits are ovoid, 1.7 to 2.0 cm long and 1-seeded berries and reddish yellow when ripe.

Kills sperm and alleviates spasms (seed), diuretic (aerial part), astringent, tonic, antipyretic.

Bakula-India's Intoxicating Garland Flower

Lauric, myristic, capric, stearic and palmitic acids (seed oil), saponins (seed), taraxerol, lupeol, alpha-spinasterol, quercitol and beta-sitosterol (root, seed and aerial part).

In snakebite (leaf), diarrhea and dysentery (fruit pulp) and as a tonic (bark powder), to treat dental disorders and toothache, constipation in children (seeds), for cleaning the teeth (Young twigs).

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.