The flowers are white or greenish, hermaphrodite, with fragrant odour; male and female are separated.

It has been used in South Pacific islands for fishing rods, fish net floats, wooden sandals, fan handles, drawing boards, canoe accessories, furniture and firewood, etc.

The Tahaitians polish the round brown seeds to a high gloss and fashion them into necklaces.

The effect of lignans from this species on Ca2+ signaling in human neutrophils has been studied.

In New Britain, the Nakanai people also use its wood to make hourglass drums.