Botany
Branched, spiny shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 2-4 meters. Zigzagging branches are lenticellate with sharp stipular spines, 1-4 cm long; branchlet spines are smaller. Leaves are bipinnate, 5-8 cm long. Pinnae are usually 10-12. Leaflets are linear-oblong, 15-40, fascicled, rounded and about 1 cm diameter. Flowers are numerous, yellow and fragrant. Pods are smooth, brown, and cylindrical, 5-7 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, straight and curved. Seeds in two series, embedded in dry spongy tissue.

Chemical constituents and characteristics
The oil contains benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, a ketone with odor of methone, anisic aldehyde, decyclic aldehyde, and cuminic aldehyde.
Oil contains 30.9 % salycilic acid methyl ester.
Some studies suggest an alkaloid in the bark gum.
The pod contains a tannin (glucoside of ellagic acid).
The bark likewise is reported to contain a tannin.

Distribution
Open grasslands and thickets at low and medium altitudes esp. in the long dry season.

Parts utilized
Bark, flowers, leaves

Uses:
Folkloric
Bark is astringent.
Decoction of bark used in treatment of rectal prolapse.
Poultice of young leaves used for ulcers and sores washed by a decoction of same leaves.
Decoction of roots has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis.
Decoction of bark with ginger used as astringent wash.
Lotion of leaves used sores and skin afflictions.
The flowers used as stimulant and antispasmodic.
Others
Bark exudes a gum similar to gum arabic.
Cassie perfume used for boquets and hair pomades.
Bark and pods used as dye and tanning ingredient.

Availability:
Wild-crafted.