Sprawling shrub, to c. 4 m high. Leaves opposite or alternate, shortly petiolate, thin-textured to somewhat fleshy, almost oblong to broadly ovate or hastate, 10–30 mm long, 3–20 mm wide, usually markedly discolorous, upper surface glabrous, shining green, lower surface greyish and scaly, rarely both surfaces scaly or glabrescent. Inflorescence a sparse to rather dense pyramidal panicle, to c. 15 cm long, both sexes similar; tepals mealy on outer surface, c. 1 mm long, enlarging slightly in fruit. Berry c. 5 mm diam., crimson at maturity, bitter, clasped by reddish fruiting perianth; seed black, granular, c. 2 mm diam.  Flowers Sep.–Dec.