This plant is endemic in Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. Now it is much planted in the rest of tropical Asia and on the Pacific Islands. In those places, the plant becomes a garden escape, sometimes invasive. Name derived from "suf" meaning under and "fruiticosa" link to shrubby. Large evergreen shrub to 7m, often forming thickets. Common in secondary forests, especially swampy ground, most in south. Flowers continuously, each open for just a day.
Fruit ripe in 36 days. The red star shaped fruit is actually an aggregation of dehisced follicles. The seeds are enveloped by fleshy scarlet -colored aril. The unopened fruits are surrounded by thick red sepals. Fruits or flower buds? The fruits face upwards while flower buds face down. The ripe fruit splits open also at 3 am, into pinkish star-shaped segments to reveal seeds covered in red arils. Some nurseries raised the plants as a cheap source for ornamental plant. Without doubt, many new housing areas usually arid, has adopted this tree as shade. Its wood is good for making and tools. It contains tannin useful in animal hide tanning. In India, its wood and charcoal are widely used for fuel. In some countries Gum from the tree is sold commercially. Simpoh Air is used to staunch bleeding wounds, and the fruit pulp may be used to wash the hair. In smaller towns, the large broad leaves comes in handy. They can be used in the wet market as wrappers for meat and veggie.