Native species of the inter-tropical zones of the American continent, it is a tall and corpulent tree with superficial and buttress roots and a spine-covered trunk. A toxic latex substance can be obtained from its roots and has been used in some cultures for fishing or to cure snakebites. Some animals, such as parrots and monkeys, eat them when they are soft. The fruits ripen in rainy season and they explode when they come in contact with water, dispersing the seeds and producing a strong sound to which it owes its Latin name: crepitans (resound).