Indigenous to the Malayan archipelago, it is now cultivated in the tropical lowlands of Central America, the Philippines, and in parts of Australia. The tree is large and attractive, with a branched trunk and densely foliated with pinnate leaves. The 2" fruit, borne in terminal clusters of 10-12, resembles a chestnut burr in appearance. It is usually bright red when ripe, sometimes orange, with the skin covered with soft, fleshy spines. The flesh is white, adhering to a flattened seed, whose flavor varies from sweet to subacid. Propagated best by air layers or grafting.