It is commonly known as the pheasant-berry, red pear or peacock-berry, in Kikuyu, the Mukarara. These trees are native to the warmer, higher rainfall areas of Africa. These trees are used in traditional medicine across Africa: A leaf-decoction is taken in Ivory Coast for blennorrhoea and for poisoning. A wash of the decoction is a stimulant in case of general fatigue. The bark is used as a purgative in West Africa and anthelmintic in Central Africa. Elsewhere people use the bark for toothache, in the Central African Republic a decoction is used for post-partum pains, and in the Republic of the Congo for stomach and kidney complaints and to facilitate parturition. In Malawi the powdered bark extract is applied to swellings and inflammation for quick relief. The dried leaves can be used as a food supplement for sheep. The wood is hard and durable and the trees are fast growing from seed, suggesting that this species may be suitable for agroforestry. The sap-wood is yellowish, and the heartwood is pinkish-white to brownish-red, hard, heavy, of medium texture, not difficult to work and is suitable for cabinetry; finishing smoothly and taking a fine polish. The wood can be sawn into planks and used for ordinary building purposes. Extracts from this plant can be used to kill ticks. The seeds are a relished food of guinea fowl. Seed in Kenya have attracted bushbuck.