Leaves (5)6–16 x 2–5(7) cm., ovate-elliptic to oblong-elliptic; apex long-acuminate; base cuneate to rounded, asymmetrical; margin entire or with a few coarse teeth, (juvenile foliage up to 21 x 9 cm., with apex hardly acuminate and margin coarsely dentate in upper half); lamina membranous-chartaceous, glabrescent, often scabrid, 3-nerved from the base with the basal lateral nerves not or hardly extending into the upper half; upper lateral nerves (2)3–6 on each side of the midrib, prominent above, more strongly so below, usually making an angle of less than 45 degrees with the midrib; petiole 4–8 mm. long; stipules 2–6 mm. long, linear to linear-oblong, whitish pubescent, caducous.
Flowers precocious; male flowers in numerous, crowded, few-many-flowered cymes, pedicels 3–7 mm. long; female and bisexual flowers few or solitary, axillary or at nodes below, pedicels often longer.
Deciduous tree to 3-30(60) m tall, monoecious or dioecious; bole often fluted or buttressed, bark smooth light grey, wood unpleasant smelling; young stems and branches whitish-pubescent. Leaves (5)6-16 x 2-5(7) cm, ovate-elliptic to oblong-elliptic; apex long-acuminate; base cuneate to rounded, asymmetrical; margin entire or with a few coarse teeth, (juvenile foliage up to 21 x 9 cm, with apex hardly acuminate and margin coarsely dentate in upper half); lamina membranous-chartaceous, glabrescent, often scabrid, 3-nerved from the base with the basal lateral nerves not or hardly extending into the upper half; upper lateral nerves (2)3-6 on each side of the midrib, prominent above, more strongly so below, usually making an angle of less than 45 degrees with the midrib; petiole 4-8 mm long; stipules 2-6 mm long, linear to linear-oblong, whitish pubescent, caducous. Flowers precocious; male flowers in numerous, crowded, few-many-flowered cymes, pedicels 3-7 mm long; female and bisexual flowers few or solitary, axillary or at nodes below, pedicels often longer. Sepals 4-5, 1.2-2 mm long, pubescent. Ovary ± pubescent or glabrous; styles unbranched, 2-2.5 mm long. Fruit dark yellowish, 4-6(7) x 3-5 mm, conical-ovoid, often 4-angled when dry, glabrous, pedicel 3-10 mm long.
Sepals 4–5, 1.2–2 mm. long, pubescent.
Ovary ± pubescent or glabrous; styles unbranched, 2–2.5 mm. long.
Deciduous tree to 3–30(60) m. tall, monoecious or dioecious; bole often fluted or buttressed, bark smooth light grey, wood unpleasant smelling; young stems and branches whitish-pubescent.
Fruit dark yellowish, 4–6(7) x 3–5 mm., conical-ovoid, often 4-angled when dry, glabrous, pedicel 3–10 mm. long.
Uncommon, in low to medium altitude, mixed evergreen rainforest and riverine forest (occurs in coastal forest in S. Africa) 700-1400 m.
Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Nigeria, S. Africa (Natal and Gape), São Tomé, Zaire.
