The ephemeral flowers bloom by night and have an offensive smell. The leaves, usually borne horizontally, become vertical during heavy rains (Beccari, Nelle for di Borneo 140,1902). Young berries with a sour taste are eaten; ripe fruit is medicinally used as a poultice in swellings and sprains; fermented juice is used for stopping haemorrhages; the wood makes poor fuel; the pneumatophores, when boiled in water, give a poor quality cork.