A tree with a tall straight trunk with smooth greyish bark. The unpleasant smell of the leaves and flowers on the male trees is very distinctive, which is why only females are planted as they are very attractive when covered in their yellow-coloured fruits. It grows very quickly, adapts to the most adverse conditions and proliferates through shoots which is why it is commonly found in the early development stages of a forest and why it naturalises easily to wherever it is introduced.

The entire plant is poisonous and gives off a bad smell. Previously, this was used to repel mosquitoes by attaching branches to houses.