Region: southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea to the Pacific Islands in Micronesia and Melanesia.
Habitat: on sandy beaches, along the shore; behind coral reefs; elevations below 3 metres.
Use: medicinal.
BotanyShrub or small tree; 5 to 15 metres tall.
Roots: intensely bitter.
Fruits: yellow or black when ripe; intensely bitter.
Seeds: float in salt water.
Dispersion: seeds floating to other islands.