Trees 5-15 (-20) m tall, with pendulous branches. Leaves sub-petiolate, 5-13 x 2-5 cm, oblong to obovate or elliptic, base attenuate, apex obtuse, sometimes mucronate. Flower buds ellipsoid. Flowers (5-) 6-8-merous. Calyx tube smooth, segments longer than the tube, spreading in fruit. Petals 18-25 mm long, linear-lanceolate, dark red. Filaments 25-35 mm long, reddish at the base. Fruit 3-4 x 5-7 cm, thick walled, green.

Fl. Per.: Feb. July; Fr. Per.: Oct.-Nov.

Type: Described from the Moluccas.

Distribution: Tropical Asia to N. Australia, and tropical South Pacific Islands.

In Pakistan found in Sind, at the mouth of the river Indus, along less brackish tidal creeks and in mangrove swamps. Recorded by Stewart (l.c) as having been collected by Hasan and by Murray, but I have not seen any material.

The ephemeral flowers bloom by night and have an offensive smell. The leaves, usually borne horizontally, become vertical during heavy rains (Beccari, Nelle for di Borneo 140,1902). Young berries with a sour taste are eaten; ripe fruit is medicinally used as a poultice in swellings and sprains; fermented juice is used for stopping haemorrhages; the wood makes poor fuel; the pneumatophores, when boiled in water, give a poor quality cork.