Evergreen fast-growing shrub with liana-like branches up to 8 m long. Leaves are elliptical with a pointed tip and a rounded base, up to 15 cm long and up to 7 cm wide. Numerous tubular flowers are collected in loose, very fragrant inflorescences. Blooming flowers are pinkish or almost white, but within 2-3 days they gradually change their color to bright pink or red. In the tropics, flowering lasts almost all year round. The fruit is an elliptical nut, 30-35 mm long, with 5 protruding ribs. The shell is very hard, but light and porous inside, so the nuts always float on the surface of the water.