Stout shrub, much-branched from base, up to ± 6 m. tall; trunk short, inclined, up to c. 3 dm. diam. Rarely a tree with erect cylindric trunk up to 3 m. long. Branches ± fluted; bark dark brown to grey. Branchlets with distinct lenticels and lf-scars, ± quadrangular, at first green. Lvs opp. or with occ. whorls of 3, on stout petioles 1-3 mm. long. Lamina (30)-50-80-(100) × (25)-40-50-(60) mm.; broad-ovate to broadly ovate-oblong, rather abruptly acuminate or acute, subcordate to rounded at base; subcoriac., dark shining green above, paler below, glab.; 2-4 lateral veins conspicuous, arching to apex; margins flat or slightly undulate. Racemes (10)-15-20-(30) cm. long, slender, drooping, pubescent. Fls ∞, rather distant to rather close-set, on patent very slender pedicels up to c. 5 mm. long. Sepals broad-ovate to ovate-oblong, 3-4 mm. long, ± crenulate; petals ovate-oblong, c. 1·5 mm. long. Ripe carpels 5, surrounded by enlarged, succulent, dark purple petals c. 4 mm. long.
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An evergreen plant. It is a large multi-trunked shrub. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The flowers are small and hang in racemes. The fruit are purple-black. The seeds are poisonous.
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