A tomentose shrub or a tree, reaching 7 m in height. Bark dark brown, exfoliating in square flakes; leaves elliptic-oblong or ovate, acute, flowers greenish yellow, in dense axillary clusters; capsules 1-2 cm in diameter, ellipsoid, with scarlet pulp.

Laxative, diuretic (fruit pulp); antiviral (aerial part); alleviates spasms and stimulates the cardiovascular system; toxic (to fish) (fruit juice); anthelmintic eaf paste)