Many morphological features are very variable. Males start to flower in the second year whereas females one year later. They can also be water-dispersed. Usually, there are two main flowering and fruiting seasons although some fruits are often produced all year round, but in Hawaii and Puerto Rico flowering and fruiting are irregular. Seeds are produced annually.
Roots have nodules with symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria.
It is not resistant to frost and has low fire tolerance but is salt tolerant. Adapted to growth on sand dunes as lower branches root and upright branches develop. Stilt roots and prop roots are sometimes in waterlogged areas. Does not suffer from browsing. When cut the tree sprouts profusely.