Erect dense shrub or small tree 1.5 to 5m in height, dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants). Bark is dark grey and mottled. Leaves elliptic, leathery, without hairs, glossy dark green above, pale green and shiny below. Flowers small, 1-few in axillary racemes, cream-coloured, nodding, petals curling back.

Fruits almost spherical, up to 1cm in diameter, finely glandular when young, purple or reddish when mature.