The specific epithet alba is from the Latin meaning 'white', referring to the flowers.

[4] S. alba grows up to 40 m (130 ft) tall with a trunk diameter up to 70 cm (30 in).

The cracked to fissured bark is brownish, turning grey below the tidal mark.

[4] S. alba grows naturally in many tropical and subtropical areas from East Africa to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, the Ryukyu Islands, Indochina, Malesia, Papuasia, Australia, and the Western Pacific region.

[4] In Malaysia and Indonesia, the sour fruits are used to flavor fish, and are sometimes eaten raw.