It is found in the tropical dry forests of central and southern Mexico, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.

[1] It is a deciduous tree with an open and narrow crown and can grow up to 15 meters (50 feet) tall.

The fruit of the yacaratiá tree is eaten by a variety of animals including lowland tapirs,[3] brown howler monkeys,[4] white-lipped peccaries, collared peccaries, white-eared opossums, Argentine black and white tegus, southern muriqui, humans, and birds.

Unlike most plants, cells of this tree contain large spaces within their walls which store water.

The yacaratiá tree makes a good pioneer species due to its fast growth.