Small tree or shrub, 2-4 meters high, smooth throughout, branching with slender, solitary, sharp spines 1 cm or less. Leaves are oblong-ovate to elliptic-ovate, 4-6 cm long. Petioles are 1-1.5 cm long. Racemes are short, bearing few flowers, white and fragrant. Petals are 4, oblong, 10-12 mm long. The fruit is almost spherical, 3-5 cm in diameter, yellow, thin-skinned, 10-celled or more.

Folkloric and Traditional Uses:

• Nausea and fainting: Squeeze rind near nostril for irritant inhalation.
• Decoction of roots used for dysentery; root-bark as febrifuge.
• Crushed leaves applied to forehead for headaches.
• Leaf decoction for eyewash and to bathe a feverish patient.
• Mouthwash and gargle for sore throat and thrush.
• Externally, fresh juice is used to clean wounds; roasted, for chronic sores.
• Juice used for irritation and swelling of mosquito bites.
• Poultice of leaves applied to ulcer wounds.
• Poultice of leaves for skin diseases or on the abdomen after childbirth.

Excerpts from: "An illustrated compilation of Philippine medicinal plants by Godofredo Stuart "