[4] It is an evergreen large shrub or small to medium-sized tree growing to 30 m tall, its trunk is crooked and irregular.

A study in the Buxa Tiger Reserve by ecologists Sekar & Sukumar has shown that Asian elephants appear to have a particular fondness for the fruits of D. indica, and are hence an important seed disperser for this tree.

Seeds from both old and soft fruits are able to germinate well, enabling the persistence of this tree to be independent of the survival of its major megaherbivore disperser.

[7] The fruit pulp is sour and used in Indian cuisine in curries, jam (ouu khatta), and jellies.

[5] Because it is a main source of food for elephants, monkeys and deer, collection of fruit from the core areas of the forest is prohibited.