Rhizome irregularly moniliform, ca. 1.5 cm thick. Stem erect, 0.6--2 m, glabrous. Leaves opposite, occasionally also alternate or in whorls of 3; petiole short or indistinct; leaf blade abaxially grayish glaucous, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 7--15 × 1.5--4 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescences (1 or)2-or 3-flowered; peduncle pendulous, 1.5--3 cm; bracts small, membranous, caducous. Pedicel 5--10 mm. Perianth pale yellow or white, cylindric or ± campanulate, 1.1--1.5 cm; lobes 2--3 mm. Filaments 2--3 mm, apically dilated and saccate; anthers 3--4 mm. Ovary 5--7 mm. Style ca. 4 mm. Berries orange-red, ca. 7 mm in diam., 2--4-seeded; pedicel reflexed at maturity. Fl. Jun--Jul, fr. Sep--Oct.