Belongs to the ditypic genus: P. madagascariensis and P. orientalis; tribe: Picrasmeae. Medium-sized tree reaching 30 m in height. Leaves spiral, compound, imparipinnate, 1-5 pairs of leaflets. Inflorescence an axillary panicle, hairy. Flowers male or bisexual. Drupe ovoid, leathery, turning pale yellow at maturity; seed crustaceous.

Two important alkaloids have been isolated from the species: 4,7-dimethoxy-1-vinyl-β-carboline, and kirondrin (Krebs & al., 1997). The latter is used in the treatment of amoebiasis and is cytotoxic. The stem bark is used as a tonic and febrifuge. Its wood is sometimes used for light construction (http12).The flowers are consumed by Propithecus verreauxi (Norscia & al., 2006).