[4][5][6] This plant is a shrub or tree growing up to 10 meters (33 feet) tall.

The flowers are borne singly or in clusters at the ends of branches and are white, sometimes with a yellow or greenish tint.

The gray-brown triangular fruit is about 6 millimeters long and splits open when ripe to release a reddish seed.

Farther south in Mexico it can be found in arroyos in subtropical scrub habitat.

[4] In Mexico, the gum from the tree has been used in treating scorpion stings and insect bites.