Polysphaeria parvifolia Hiern

Small tree or shrub 0.6–9(–?12) m. tall but probably rarely over 3.5 m.; stems slender, glabrous or more often shortly pubescent; bark reddish brown, peeling in long strips on the older stems.. Leaf-blades oblong, elliptic, ovate-elliptic or sometimes ovate or almost round, 0.4–9(–11) cm. long, 0.4–4.5(–4.7) cm. wide, subacute to acuminate at the apex, cuneate to rounded or truncate at the base or in the case of leaves supporting lateral branchlets often subcordate to distinctly cordate, glabrous to distinctly pubescent or coarsely hairy particularly beneath; occasionally there are some pairs of very small leaves; petiole 3–5 mm. long, glabrous or more usually pubescent; stipules 1 mm. long with apiculum 1 mm. long, hairy.. Inflorescences sessile or rarely peduncles up to 2.5 mm. long, the opposite parts usuallyjoined to form a globose cluster at the node; paired basal bracts ovate-triangular, 3 mm. long, 2 mm. wide, acuminate; secondary bracts triangular, 1.5 mm. long, 2 mm. wide, each pair supporting 3 triads of flowers each with another set of bracts; main bracteoles at base of calyx joined to form a 2–3-lobed cup.. Flowers practically scentless (Palways).. Calyx mostly with spreading white hairs; tube ± 0.5 mm. long, limb-tube about equal with distinct triangular teeth ± the same length.. Corolla white or tube sometimes greenish, usually densely spreading pubescent, less often glabrous or glabrescent; tube funnel-shaped, 3–4.5 mm. long, sometimes constricted near the base; lobes ovate, 1.5–2 mm. long, 1.3 mm. wide.. Style densely white hairy.. Fruits globose, red or orange-red, 7–10 mm. diameter, glabrous or slightly pubescent.. Fig.95.

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands. It grows in evergreen forest and coastal woodlands. In Tanzania it grows from sea level to 1,400 m above sea level.

The ripe fruit are eaten as a snack.

Plants can be grown by seeds.