Habit: Pisonia aculeata grows as a shrub to small tree to 5 m in height (usually shorter). The simple leaves are arranged oppositely, ovate to oval, to 10 cm in length, with an entire leaf margin and a rounded leaf apex.
Pisonia aculeata is monoecious. The incomplete, imperfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in a cymose panicle. The calyx has 5, fused into a cup, sepals that are white. There are no petals. In staminate flowers there are 10 stamens and a non-functional carpel. In carpellate flowers there are 10 non-functional stamens with a superior ovary with 1 locule and ovule. The fruit is a 5 ribbed achene that is retained within the sticky glandular calyx at maturity (anthocarp).
Habitat: Pisonia aculeata grows in Pine Woodlands and Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formations – Forests/Shrublands.
Distribution: Pisonia aculeata occurs in the northern Lucayan Archipelago, Florida, Cuba and Hispaniola.
Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Pisonia aculeata is used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago to treat colds and flu and other respiratory problems.