It is a deciduous shrub which reaches 4-5 m in height. The leaves are opposite, brickwork of 5-10 cm in length and wide, with rounded base and serrated margins. The flowers are white hermaphroditic produced in corymbs of 4-11 cm in diameter at the top of the stems. The fruit is a globose drupe 7-10 mm diameter, containing a single seed. The seeds are eaten by birds which disperse it.