The white to pinkish fragrant flowers are borne in branched terminals and have numerous fluffy stamens and produce abundant nectar.

Common names are waterbessie (Afrikaans), undoni, umSwi, umJoni and hute (Shona), trâm mốc, trâm vối or vối rừng (Vietnamese).

It grows in forest margins, in bush or open grassy and sometimes high country.

The fleshy fruit is slightly acidic in flavour and is eaten by children, monkeys, bush-babies, bats and birds.

In central Africa the tree is known as a remedy for stomach ache and diarrhoea.