Genus: 140 species.
Region: Southeast Asia, Indonesia.
Habitat: moist tropical lowlands; dense, primary forest; open secondary formations; open land, roadsides; along the inner border of tidal forests; sometimes on the beach; at elevations up to 800 metres; prefers a distinct dry season.
Use: food; medicinal; wood for small tools, posts, pulley-blocks, tool handles, wooden hammers, good quality charcoal; tree for shade in teak plantations; young leaves and fruits as food; whitish and fragrant resin, named Copal.
BotanyShrub or tree; up to 25 metres tall.
Stem: short, crooked; up to 115 cm in diameter; branches with spines up to 7 cm long; wood is hard, not easily splitting.
Flowers: dioecious.