Mature twigs have conspicuous leaf scars. Young twigs with brown scales can be found on the greyish-brown stem. The leaves are attached spirally and somewhat horizontally onto the twigs, and are crowded at the terminal ends of twigs, 10-20 cm long and 3-9 cm broad, oblong in shape with a pointed apex, tapered base and curled margin, shiny dark green above, paler and reddish and scaly beneath, with many lateral veins arising perpendicular to the mid vein. White flowers are seen in inflorescences at the nodes of leaves. The globular, purple, pulpy fruit attracts birds.
