[1] It is native to tropical Africa from Guinea and Sierra Leone east to Uganda and Ethiopia.

[2] It is a broadleaved small tree that can reach up to 7–14 m, variably deciduous in the dry season to semi-evergreen, depending on the climate.

The fruit is a samara with a single wing 6–9 cm long, that turns brown with age.

[8] The bark is applied to wounds,[3] and the twigs may be chewed to promote oral hygiene.

In laboratory experiments, extracts of the plant were found to have in vitro antibiotic properties against Staphylococcus.