The flowers are fragrant, possessing a white tubular five-lobed corolla about 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) in diameter, with a pink to red throat.

[2][3] In addition to its cardiac effects, symptoms of poisoning include numbness in the upper extremities followed by nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, and dyspnea.

[4] More modern medical research indicates that the cerberin found in the plant might have favorable properties for chemotherapy as the cardiac glycoside might be able to selectively induce apoptosis in tumor cells.

[citation needed] During the Merina Kingdom's rule of the island of Madagascar, Cerbera manghas was used in tangena trials by ordeal to test suspected criminals and witches.

On the opposite spectrum, Fijians use its (vasa, rewa) leaves in dried form to treat skin irritations and eye pains.