Small tree up to 8-10 m tall or a large shrub, twigs softly pubescent; leaves alternate rarely sub-opposite, ovate-elliptic, 5-19 X 4 -14 cm, acute at apex narrowed at base, nerves raised on upper surface, venation distinct, pubescent beneath; male flowers in axillary, simple or branched, 3-15 flowered, drooping cymes; female flowers solitary; calyx tubular or campanulate, lobes 4-5, short, cylindric, acute in males, cordate in female ;corolla tubular, shortly 5 lobed, twisted to right, densely hairy ;stamens 12; filaments distinct, glabrous, connective pilose on back, anther linear; ovary rudimentary in male flowers; female flowers with staminodes 0-16, ovary 4-5 celled or 8-10 locular with imperfect septa; style and stigma 1-4; ovules 1-2 in each locule; berries globose or oblong 2.5-3.5 cm across, glabrous with age; seeds 2-3 fid at the apex, oblong, compressed.