Evergreen tree about 10-20 m high; bark deeply furrowed, grey; trunk erect with branches forming a large canopy; leaves about 5-10 cm, obovate or oblong, obtuse to emarginated at apex, cuneate at base, coriaceous, shining, glabrous; petioles 1-5 cm long, glabrous; flowers axillary, solitary or 2-6 in fascicles; pedicles stout, glabrous; flowers pale yellow; calyx lobes-6, ovate, sub-acute, reflexed; usually rusty pubescent outside, ciliate on margins; corolla white, lobes 18, 2 serrate, 12 outer lobes linear, 6 inner lobes, oblanceolate; stamens 6, alternating with 6 staminodes, anthers acute, as long as filaments, glabrous, more or less denticulate; ovary hairy, globular, 6-8 celled; fruit ellipsoid, 1-2 seeded berry, reddish yellow when ripe; seeds large, dark brown.