Straggling shrub, 2-6.4 m tall. Stem covered with a greyish-white tomentum. Leaves 4-8 cm long, acute to acuminate, entire to slightly undulate, glabrous above, tomentose beneath; tomentum stellate greyish-white; petiole c. 1.5 cm long; Flower c. 1 cm long; bract linear, 3-4 mm long, tomentose; pedicel 2 mm long, tomentose. Calyx campanulate; lobes elliptic-ovate, acute, c. 3 mm long, tomentose. Corolla tube 6-7 mm long, sparsely pubes-cent; lobes c. 3 mm long, broadly ovate ,entire, glabrous. Stamens 4-5; anthers sub-sessile, 1 mm long. Ovary 1.5 mm long, ovoid, pubescent; style 2-2.5 mm long; stigma l mm long, oblong, sparsely pubescent. Berry black, shiny, 5-6 mm broad.

Fl. Per.: March.

Type: Described from Madagascar.

Distribution: Indigenous to Madagascar and the Mascarenes.

The plant is cultivated in the sub-tropical regions as an ornamental plant.