It is an evergreen forest tree confined to tropical Africa, to 30 m tall. Bole straight, occasionally fluted. Bark dark brown, patchy; slash thin, reddish at the surface, yellow beneath, exuding a sticky yellow juice. Branches slender, drooping and often conspicuously whorled.

Seeds and fruits are edible. The seeds yield a vegetable butter while the bitter seedcake is used as an animal feed.