Belongs to the monotypic family and ditypic genus: P. madagascariensis and P. sessiliflora.

Large shrub or small tree reaching 5(-10) m high, dioecious. Leaves alternate, simple. Inflorescence: loose axillary raceme of 5-12 flowers. Dry drupe, almost globose containing 2 seeds. Seeds rounded or reniform.

Several molecules have been isolated from the plant: alkaloids, triterpenes, toxic saponosides, tannins, polyphenols and remangiflavanones (Bishayee & al., 2011). This species is widely used in traditional medicine to treat low back pain, fever, malaria, splenomegaly, sore throat, anemia, dental pain and ulcers caused by venereal diseases (http9).