This is a tropical plant native to East Asia (Hainan and Taiwan) and Australia (Queensland). It has now spread throughout Asia, tropical Africa, Hawaii, and mainland United States (Florida). It is commonly planted as an ornamental plant in bonsai form and as a hedge plant. Wali Songo is also used as a natural medium to neutralize the smell of cigarette smoke.

It is generally found along riverbanks, in wet forests, and sometimes grows epiphytically on other trees. Its growth requires sunlight, thriving both in direct sun and in shade. It prefers moist soil—neither wet nor dry. The air temperature ranges between 30–35  

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 C.

• Stem (Batang) Not large, with few branches, rough bark, and easily broken.

• Leaves (Daun) Compound, thick, glossy, palmate (menjari) like cassava leaves. It has 7–9 leaflets that are obovate to oblong shape, green color.

• Flower (Bunga) Compound inflorescence, arranged in a panicle, round, black color.

• Fruit (Buah) Seeded fruit, oblong to nearly round with a diameter of 5 mm, and fleshy.

• Seed (Biji) Small size, black color.

• Propagation is done vegetatively (cuttings, air layering). Shoot cuttings are prepared by cutting a healthy, not-too-old stem to a length of 15–30 cm.

• Generative propagation (seeds) is done by sowing dried seeds first.

Treats rheumatism, sore throat, skin itching and ulcers/sores, treats nosebleeds, improves blood flow, relieves bone pain, prevents swelling, aids blood clotting, and treats coughs and colds. It has anti-inflammatory activity.

• Saponins, polyphenols, limonene, sesquiterpenes hydrocarbon, β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, spathulenol, β-cubebene, humulene epoxide II, fumaric acid, and gamma hydroxybutyric acid.