Shrub scandent. Branchlets, pedicels and calyx densely fulvous-villous. Leaves opposite, simple, ovate, acuminate, upper surface pubescent, becoming glabrous, ventral tomentose or pubescent, especially on the nerves; petiole stout, tomentose. Flowers sessile or subsessile, in dense capitate cymes, at the tips of dwarf lateral branchletes or axillary, fragrant. Calyx teeth 6-9, linear, c. 1 cm long. Corolla white, tube slender, exceeding the calyx, lobes 6-9, oblong-lanceolate, acute, 1-2 cm long. Berry simple or didymous, ellipsoid, c. 1 cm long, black when ripe, surrounded by the long hairy calyx teeth.

Fl. Per.: December-April and also during the rains.

Distribution: Pakistan, India, from Himalaya to Ceylon and Tenasserim, Burma, China. Apparently wild in the lower hills up to 1200 m. from the Ravi eastwards; Nakial in Mirpur (RRS), Udhampur, Billawar and Jumu (Lambert).

Frequently cultivated.