Brucea javanica, commonly known as Java brucea or kosam, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to a variety of habitats including tropical rainforests, monsoon forests, and secondary forests in regions such as Sri Lanka, India, Southeast Asia, Malesia, New Guinea, and Northern Australia. It typically grows up to 20 feet tall and is characterized by its dense foliage and fine hairs covering the leaves. The flowers, which appear in panicles, range in color from greenish-white to greenish-red or purple, and bloom in the summer months. The fruit is a black-gray drupe that is not particularly ornamental.

Java brucea is valued for its medicinal properties, as it contains compounds with anticancer and antiparasitic activities. It is used in traditional medicine to treat dysentery and malaria. In cultivation, it is often grown for its potential health benefits and as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens. It prefers full sun to partial shade, requires moderate water, and thrives in well-drained soils. While it is not commonly seen in urban plantings, it can be used in borders or as a feature plant in medicinal gardens.CC BY-SA 4.0