Scrambling or prostrate shrub up to 3m, stems smooth, squared when young. Leaves somewhat fleshy, lanceolate to ovate, lower often lobed, lower leaves up to 6cm long; up to 30 flowers in terminal clusters, usually mauve or purple (sometimes white) with dark markings, up to 10mm across.

Berries purplish-black when ripe, up to 15mm in diameter.

Worldwide there are over 2000 species in this genus, many of them poisonous. It does however contain the potato, the tomato and tobacco.