An evergreen tree about 3-5 m tall; twigs often compressed, smooth, bark thick, pale; leaves opposite or sub-opposite, hard and coriaceous, ovate-lanceolate, acute, shining above, 3-5 nerved at the rounded base; petioles 1-3 cm long; inflorescence usually longer than the leaves; silky, pubescent, perianth segments 6, pubescent on both sides, oblong or obovate, usually obtuse; stamens 9 or less in multiple series, filaments of outer two whorls eglandular of third one glandular with 2-celled anthers, staminodes in 4th whorl, usually sagitate; berries ovoid-oblong, minutely apiculate, slightly fleshy or dry, dark purple, crowned by deciduous, campanulate perianth.