[5][6] The trunk is generally straight and cylindrical, and marked with numerous oval-shaped lenticels arranged in more or less vertical lines.

When cut or damaged the trunk and branches produce a tar-like exudate which turns black on exposure to the air.

[6] The natural range of Semecarpus australiensis is from the Moluccas in the west, into New Guinea, the Bismark Archipelago, Vanuatu and New Caledonia in the east; and south to the coastal parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia.

The tree also serves as one of the host plants for the larvae of the Purple Line-blue butterfly (Prosotas dubiosa).

[4][5][7][9][10] The agents responsible for the allergies are resinous phenolic compounds[14] found in most parts of the plant, including the fruits and the exudate from the trunk and branches.

[9] They also knew that the fleshy receptacle and the nut (which is similar to the cashew) were edible, and they developed methods of deactivating the toxins so that they could be eaten.