Voacanga foetida grows as a tree up to 20m (70feet) high, with a trunk diameter of up to 40cm (20inches). The bark is grey, whitish brown or grey-brown. Its unpleasant-smelling flowers feature a white corolla. Fruit is up to 11cm (04inches) in diameter. The specific epithet foetida is from the Latin meaning 'evil-smelling'. Habitat is forest from sea-level to 600m (2,000feet) altitude. V. foetida is found in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.