Native shrub or small tree grows in forests and bordering areas up to about 800m elevations in both dry and wet regions. Leaves use to control soil-borne pests in paddy fields and betel-vine plantations. Lac use in traditional lacquer works is a secretions of a certain scale-insect species (Tachardia lacca) living on the tender branches of this tree sucking juice of them. Roots, bark and leaves use in traditional medicine.