Hemi-parasitic small tree or shrub up to 4m. Evergreen leaves are oval, mostly opposite, blue-green with a grey bloom, stiff and leathery. Flowers in delicate, terminal heads, yellowish-green, small and inconspicuous. Oval, fleshy fruits, 17mm x 12mm, becoming bright, shiny red, then purplish-black when ripe.

Bark and leaves have been used for tanning; the wood is heavy and fine-grained but because of the small size of the tree it is suitable only for ornaments and fancy work.