Shrub or small tree, to 6 m tall; stems with short appressed pubescence when young, glabrate in age. Stipules triangular, minute, persistent; petioles 3-15 mm long, densely appressed-pubescent, with 1 or 2 stalked glands near apex on lower surface; blades oblong-ovate to oblong-elliptic, acurninate, usually rounded to truncate at base, 7-16 cm long, 3-7 cm wide, the pubescence short, appressed, sparse above, the margins serrate, the teeth gland-tipped. Panicles narrow, to 12 cm long, terminal or opposite leaves; inflorescence branches, sepals, and petals densely whitish-tomentose; peduncles to 5 cm long; pedicels ca 5-9 mm long; flowers 4-parted; sepals ovate, 4-6 mm long, persistent in fruit; petals narrowly ovate, greenish-yellow, alternating with sepals, subpersistent in fruit; stamens many; style simple. Berries globose or depressed-globose, ca 8 mm diam, glabrous, green to blackish, with a long stout apiculum at apex; seeds many, tiny. Foster 1175. The fruits are probably chiefly bird dispersed.