The small soap tree grows in closed tropical savannah and is particularly common along creek lines. The bark is smooth and grey. The distinctive leaves are a rich green on the upper surface, but silvery grey-white underneath. Flowers are very small, sweet-scented and cream-green. The tree produces masses of red to black berries, about the size of a small pea, each having a distinct raised rib around its circumference. The berries split open to reveal a red centre and reddish seed.
The soap tree was commonly used as a fish poison. The berries and leaves are crushed . . .