Native to the Indo-Pacific region and naturalized in the tropics. This tree is appreciated for its resilience to high temperatures, drought, and poor soil. It is also recognized for its ornamental value, often planted as a shade tree due to its wide, spreading crown, and is particularly noted for the striking color change of its leaves before they drop​​. Moreover, the plant is known for its edible seeds, which have a flavor akin to almonds​​. A street tree photographed in Barranquilla, Colombia.