A medium sized, evergreen tree. Leaf stipulate, stipules modified into spine; rachis 1-2.5 cm long, pinnae 1 pair, leaflets two on each pinna, elliptic-oblong, oblique, 2-4.5 cm long. Inflorescence small globose, sessile or short peduncled heads arranged in long panicled raceme. Flowers greenish white. Calyx c.1 mm long, funnel shaped, pilose. Corolla c. 3-4 mm long, petals united below the middle. Stamens monadelphous, much exserted, not glandular. Style filiform, stigma simple. Pods 10-12.5 cm long, c. 2-3 mm broad, turgid, twisted, sutures indented between the seeds. Seeds 5-9, enveloped in pink or white pulpy aril which is edible. Seed c. 2.5 cm long, spiny, black.

Fl. Per. October-April.

Holotype: India Coromandel, cultivated, Roxburgh in Wallich 5582 D. (K) and painting of type material No. 488!).

Distribution: It is a native of Mexico, introduced in India and Pakistan, widely cultivated in Punjab and Sind.

The fleshy pulp of the fruit is eaten. The wood is used for fuel.