[2] It is found in semi-desert and arid bushveld, and in the west it occurs commonly in areas which are otherwise sparsely wooded.

Its freshly cut wood likewise has an unpleasant smell, and has traditional medicinal and magical uses, for instance as a protection against lightning.

[3] It is similar to the closely related B. albitrunca, which is however distinguishable from most subspecies by its discolorous and distinctly larger leaves, and its smooth fruit.

[3] The small, greenish flowers lack petals but have prominent stamens, and a gynophore which equals the ovary and style in length.

[7] It occurs in Namibia up to the Kunene region, the Northern Cape, central Botswana to southern Zimbabwe and the Transvaal bushveld and lowveld, eastern Eswatini, KwaZulu-Natal southwards to the Tugela valley, and in southernmost Mozambique.