[2] This plant is cited in Flora Brasiliensis by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius.

The bark is grey, shiny and smooth, with paler patches where pieces have peeled off.

The fruit is a drupe-like nut, blue ripening to black, with semi bitter flesh and a single seed.

[5] This plant is also called "gateado", according to Webster's Third New International Dictionary When fresh, the heartwood of Astronium graveolens is reddish-brown or orange-brown with variable width stripes of medium to dark brown.

Speciality uses include turnery, carving, knife handles, brush backs, bows for archery and billiard cues.