Glabrescent, hemiparasitic shrub, 0.8-2.0 m high. Leaves subopposite, lanceolate to ovate-elliptic, glossy green, thinly coriaceous. Flowers in solitary, 4-8-flowered umbels, axillary on leafy shoots, tubular, with a basal, ovoid-ellipsoid swelling, bright red, dull greenish yellow at apex; lobes erect. Flowering time Aug.-Feb. Fruit a red, obovoid berry.