Engkala is believed to have originated in the Philippines though some botanists are of the opinion that it is a naïve of Borneo. It grows wild in forests there in low and medium altitudes.
Besides Philippines, engkala is cultivated in the mountain region of Java in Indonesia. This fruit is also grown to a smaller extent in Peninsular Malaysia.
A medium to large tree attaining a height from 10-20 m, and a trunk diameter of 40-50 cm.