Leaves with puberulous to subglabrous petioles, 1-3 cm; lamina ± elliptic to oblong-elliptic (sometimes narrowly oblong-elliptic in Mindanao), usually ± bullate, apex acuminate, base obtuse to rounded (or subcordate), (9-)l 1-18 by (2.5-)4-8 cm, lateral nerves, c. 6 pairs, strongly impressed above and con-spicuously joined near the margin, the fine reticulation raised on both surfaces, upper surface glabrous, beneath usually puberulous. Male inflorescence axillary, cymose, well-branched, many flowered, 2.5-4 cm long, puberulous. Male flowers with puberulous pedicels up to 3 mm; outer sepals 2-5, minute, puberulous; inner sepals 4-7, rotund to broadly elliptic, 1.5-2 mm long, glabrous or lightly puberulous outside; petals 2-4, obovate, 0.75-1 mm long; stamens 10-15, 0.75-1 mm long. Female flowers unknown. Infructescence: peduncles usually bearing 1 to 3 fruits, axillary and very short, 0.5-1 cm, or ramiflorous and up to 2 cm. Drupes globose or sub-reniform, 1-1.5 cm long, minutely puberulous; endocarp crustaceous.
Uses. Infusions prepared from the roots and powdered bark are used medicinally for a variety of ailments. Various alkaloids have been extracted from this species: see QUISUMBING (1951, l.c.), BRUCHHAUSEN et al. ( BRUCHHAUSEN et al. Arch. Pharm. 293 1960 454, 785 ) and THORNBER ( THORNBER Phytochem. 9 1970 164, 172 ).