Evergreen shrub or tree up to 5m in coastal scrub, up to 3m; bark often with yellow pigments, finely vertically fissured with horizontal cracks forming square flakes. Leaves are opposite, elliptic to circular, 70-100mm long, leathery, shiny dark green above, irregularly toothed margins, venation distinct; leaves may often have a black fungal covering. Small scented white flowers are in branched clusters in leaf axils.

Fruit about 5mm in diameter, fleshy when mature, green to purplish-black, much loved by birds.

Leaves are toxic.

The species name 'peragua' (Paraguay) was incorrectly used by Carl Linnaeus.