Botany
A tree, smooth and growing to 10 m high. Bark is pale and transversely cracked. Wood is light and soft. Leaves are simple, elliptic-oblong, about 20 cm wide. Flowers are numerous, 4-parted, pinkish yellow, on dense and pedunculate short-stalked umbels.

Distribution
Found in Cagayan, Luzon; Mindoro and Palawan; Lanao, Mindanao; in forests at low altitudes.

Constituents and chemical properties
Fixed oil, 33%; an alkaloid; bitter principle; glycoside; samaderin.
Bark is toxic with a bitter principle similar to quassin.

Parts used and preparation
Seeds, bark, and wood.

Uses
Folkloric
Fever: Take decoction of bark and wood as needed; or mixed with coconut oil.
Rheumatism: Roast seed, pound, and apply over affected area.
Skin eruptions: Bruise leaves and apply over affected area.
Juice from pounded bark also used for skin diseases.
Oil extracted from fruit kernels used for rheumatism.
Seeds worn around the neck for asthma prevention.
Infusion of wood taken as a tonic.
Infusion of leaves used as insectiside, especially against white ants.

Availability
Wild-crafted.