Trees up to 10 m or more. Leaves very large, 3-pinnate, 60-180 cm long, imparipinnate, rachis stout ribbed; leaflets opposite, elliptic-ovate, 7-14 x 5-8 cm, entire, subacuminate, base oblique or rounded, nerves inconspicuous above, prominent and minutely pubescent on lower surface. Flowers not seen. Capsule elongated, 30-100 cm, compressed, brown, valves woody. Seeds discoid, with wing 35-40 x 58-60 mm; wing transparent, yellowish-white.

Fl.Per.: May-August.

Type: “India”.

Distribution: Indo-Malaya, Sri Lanka and South China.

The “Scythe Tree” is sometimes planted in the Punjab. Said to be wild in the sub-himalayan tract from Billawar and Undhampur eastward. The flowers are large, nocturnal and offensive smelling and said to be bat pollinated (Corner, l.c.). The bark of the root is used as a tonic in stomach complaints and when mixed with turmeric, for healing sores of animals (Watt, Dict. Econ. Prod. 5.495.) The young shoots are used as a vegetable. The seeds are used elsewhere for the lining of hats and to cover umbrellas (Parker, l.c.).Bark and fruit are used in tanning and dyeing.