The origin of this species is not fully understood due to wide cultivation of the species across the tropics. Some consider the species native to Indonesia only, however due to the cultivation of the species it is not possible with available information to discern which are the wild and which are cultivated individuals in the map records. Until this can be clarified the species is assessed as Data Deficient, as it may be widespread or restricted geographically.

This species is widely cultivated and the origin is uncertain but possibly in Java (Veldkamp 1971). POWO (2020) states that this species is native to Java, Sulawesi and Maluku. The CABI Compendium speculates on different origins of the species (CABI 2015). With current information it is not possible to know if collections are from wild or cultivated individuals and therefore a map is not possible for this species.

Information on this species in the wild is not available.

This shrub or tree, up to 14 m high, occurs in lowland forests up to 1,000 m altitude. It is frequently found in riverside or hills of primary and secondary forest (Veldkamp 1971).

Deforestation in lowland forest, particularly in Java and Sulawesi mostly destroyed the natural habitats. Sodhi et al. (2005) stated that the lowland forest in Java is near completely lost. Margono et al. (2014) reported that the lowland forest in Java had only 2.1% left of its original size by 2010. This forest has mostly been converted by urbanization, farm and infrastructure development. Given that the species is widely cultivated and can grow in secondary areas (considered invasive in some places) the impact of forest loss on the species in the wild requires additional confirmation.

This species is cultivated across the globe as the main progenitor of starfruit (Veldkamp 1971). Many parts of the plant are edible. The fruit is consumed as fresh fruit or pickle. Leaves and fruits are used as medicine for fever, angina, chickenpox, ringworm, headaches, scurvy, dysentery, and piles (Veldkamp 1971). The species can also be used and cut for small timber items and for firewood.

This species is recorded from protected areas in North Sulawesi (Dumoga Bone National Park), Central Java (Peson Nature Reserve), West Nusa Tenggara (Mt. Rinjani National Park), Bali (West Bali National Park), West Java (Leuweung Sancang Forest Reserve), South East Sulawesi (Lambusango Forest Reserve). An ex situ collection is found in Bali Botanic Garden. Further study is needed to confirm the native range of the species and also the genetic diversity held within collections and cultivars.