This is a very dense, oval shrub when growing in full sun and more open in shade. It grows 10 to 15 feet high and about half that in width. The leaves are opposite, evergreen, leathery and 1 to 3 inches long. The flowers are greenish white and inconspicuous. Can be grown as a hedge, it is very tolerant of trimming. Plants are very tolerant of maritime exposure, succeeding even when grown on the sea shore, but they can be killed by cold drying winds.
The stem bark is antirheumatic, diuretic and tonic. The leaf is used in cases of difficult delivery.