Limonia acidissima is a medium to large tree growing 6 or 7 meters tall, with rough, spiny bark. The leaves are pinnate, with 5-7 leaflets, each leaflet 25–35 mm long and 10–20 mm broad, with a citrus-scent when crushed. The flowers are white and have five petals. The fruit is a berry 5–9 cm diameter, and may be sweet or sour. It has a very hard rind which can be difficult to crack open, it appears greenish-brown in colour from outside and contains sticky brown pulp and small white seeds. The fruit looks similar in appearance to the Bael fruit (Aegle marmelos).
The fruit is used to make a fruit juice and jams. Ripe fruit can be used as pickle (mashed with green chili pepper, sugar and salt only).
In some parts of India, mainly Gujarat, the fruit pulp is used to make chutney which is then used as a main condiment in and on top of meals, especially in winter.
In Myanmar, the wood is used to make the distinctive local face cream thanaka.
