Shrub or small tree, to 5 m tall. Leaves alternate; petioles ca 1 cm long; blades ovate, acute to acuminate, obtuse to rounded at base, to 11 cm long, to 5.5 cm wide, minutely puberulent when young, glabrous in age. Panicles axillary or terminal, congested; peduncles with scattered leaf-like bracts; pedicels to 4 mm long, with minute bracteoles; flowers 5-parted; calyx campanulate, puberulent, 2 mm long; corolla greenish to yellowish-white, 14-17 mm long, glabrous outside; stamens equal; filaments ca 3 mm long, dentate near point of insertion; stigma slightly exserted. Berries ellipsoid, to 10 mm long, black at maturity; seeds not studied. Bangham 429.