A plant of the subtropics to the hot tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres.
Established plants are drought resistant.
The fragrant fleshy flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. The dried flowers can be powdered and added to flour. Both the ripe and the unripe fruit can be eaten. The leaves are edible. The seeds are a source of illipe butter.
Similar plants: