[citation needed] Members of this genus are semi-evergreen trees that grow on coastlines.

The inflorescences are produced from the leaf axils, flowers have a 4-lobed calyx, four petals and eight stamens.

The fruit hangs from the branch on its long peduncle before dehiscing and releasing the seeds.

[4][5] The genus was erected by the botanist Johann Gerhard König in order to accommodate his newly-described species X. granatum.

The size and shape of the fruit also give rise the common name "cannonball mangrove".