This is an evergreen tree that reaches three to seven meters in height. The leaves are alternate and 10-30 cm long, pinnate, with 3-11 leaflets, each 5-15 cm long and 3-10 cm wide, with an entire margin. The flowers are small, 2-2.5 mm, have no petals and are born from a terminal panicles 15-30 cm long. The fruit is an oval drupe 3-6 cm long and 3-4 cm wide, born in clusters of 10-20. The skin is reddish (rarely yellow or orange) and is covered by soft spines.