Shrubs, sometimes deciduous, 1-3 m tall. Branches red-brown, stout, densely appressed pubescent. Leaves opposite; petiole short, 1-2 mm, ± pubescent; leaf blade dark green adaxially, paler abaxially, obovate or oblong-obovate, 1.5-5 × 1-3.5 cm, thickly papery, both surfaces glabrous, base rounded to cuneate, apex rounded to rounded-obtuse, sometimes slightly retuse; lateral veins 8-10 pairs, slightly raised abaxially, obscure adaxially. Inflorescences terminal, spicate, 4-6(-20)-flowered; peduncle 0.7-3 cm, densely pubescent. Pedicel 1-3 mm. Calyx greenish yellow; tube 8-10 mm, exterior sparsely pubescent; lobes 4, ovate, ca. 3 mm. Stamens 8, lower whorl inserted at middle of calyx tube, upper whorl just below throat; filaments short. Disk scales 2 or 3, opposite, oblong, apex 2-lobed. Ovary pubescent at apex; style short; stigma globose. Drupe red, globose, ca. 6 mm. Fl. Jul-Sep.