Plant stems are semi-woody, bearing numerous shoots 1-2 mm in diameter. Simple, petiolate, evergreen, leathery, obovate leaves alternate in a spiral. Leaf upper surface is dark green; the lower surface is pale green, waxy with black glandular dots. Flowers are produced singly or in clusters in terminal racemes, with four locules per ovary, four sepals, a bell-shaped corolla and eight stamens with nonspurred anthers (Hail and Shay 1981). Pollen is borne in tetrads shed through a terminal pore in the anther. The ovary is inferior producing a true globose berry, carmine in color when ripe, up to 1 cm in diameter.

Antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, refrigerant (leaves).

Plants for a Future

(+)-Catechin, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, kaempferol, lycopene, malic acid, pectin, salicyclic acid, ursolic acid (fruit); arbutin, avicularin, caffeic acid, epicatechin, gallic acid, hydroquinone, isoquercitrin, quercetin, tannin (leaf); beta-carotene (plant); hyperoside (fruit, leaf).

In urinary tract infections; in the treatment of gonorrhoea, arthritis, rheumatism, diabetes and diarrhoea (leaves); for diarrhoea and as a treatment for sore throats, coughs and colds (mature fruits); as a gargle in treatment for sore throats (juice of the plant).

Contraindicated in pregnancy, nursing, and in children under 12 years of age.

Stary, The Natural Guide to Medicinal Herbs and Plants.