Small tree or shrub, spiny. Leaves 3(-7)-foliolate, pellucid-punctate; petiole and rachis winged. Leaflets sessile, opposite, 20-75 (-110) x 9-17 (-27) mm, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, entire to crenate, acute, base sometimes oblique; midrib sometimes spiny below. Flowers axillary, minute. Calyx 6-8-lobed, lobes acute. Petals absent. Male flowers: Stamens 6-8, filaments c. 2 mm, glabrous; ovary rudimentary. Female flowers: Ovary 1-3-locular, lobed, c. 3 mm in diameter, pale red, splitting into two when ripe. Seed rounded, c. 3 mm in diameter, shining black.

Fl. Per.: March-April.

Type: “India Orient”.

Distribution: Himalays, from Swat to Bhutan, Khasia Hills; Japan, Korea, China.

A fairly common xerophytic shrub or a small tree, found in the foothills up to 1500 m in N. Pakistan. The twigs are used as tooth brushes and the stems made into walking sticks.