Z. golungensis is widely distributed across tropical Africa and can be found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The flowers lack petals, instead having 4 to 5 sepals, each approximately 4.5 mm (0.18 in) long, fused at the base and hairy on the outside.

[3] The wood of Z. golungensis is not considered commercially valuable as timber, but is used locally for construction, firewood, and furniture building.

Some sources claim that the fruits are not eaten by humans, but other accounts from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Togo, and Uganda dispute this.

Herbal preparations of Z. golungensis are also reported to be used to facilitate childbirth, treat disorders of pregnancy, and as a galactagogue.