Visitors to the Kruger National Park will have noticed this large tree growing on the banks of watercourses and on termitaria. It can grow as tall as 25 m, but heights of 12-18 m are more usual. It occurs from Ethiopia to northern KwaZulu-Natal. This species grows tall and upright and has a dense, evergreen canopy. The bark is rough in texture, dark black-grey and has deep, horizontal grooves. The appearance of the bark is a good character for identifying the species in the field. New leaves are flaming red in colour, particularly in young trees. It is dioecious Female flowers are borne singly and the flower stalk and calyx are conspicuously hairy. Male flowers are sessile and are borne in clusters. The fruit (a berry) is about 25 mm in diameter and turns purple when ripe and people, louries, parrots and green pigeons avidly consume it. The twigs, bark and leaves are used in traditional medicine to treat ringworm, fevers and wounds. The wood, which is durable and termite-resistant, has been used for making canoes, furniture and flooring. This species is a marvellous garden specimen and shade tree where there is adequate water and only slight frost. Under these conditions it grows moderately quickly from seed.