It is native to maritime Southeast Asia and some islands of the western Pacific.

[2] The specific epithet amara means 'bitter', referring to the taste of plant parts.

[4] Soulamea amara has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.

However, it is threatened by deforestation and by conversion of land in its habitat for agriculture and plantations.

[1] The fruit and roots of Soulamea amara are used locally in traditional medicine to treat some digestive, respiratory and skin conditions.