A large evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark grey with brown coarse strands, corky, dull white inside; leaves ovate or elliptic-lanceolate, coriaceous, glossy; flowers in panicles, creamy white, fragrant; fruit blue black when ripe, oblong, 1.25 cm. long.

Antibacterial, antiseptic, antitumour, cardiotonic, diuretic and tonic (fruit); anodyne, diaphoretic, febrifuge, pectoral and vulnerary (leaves); diaphoretic (bark)

Floridata
Plants for a Future

Linoleic acid, oleanolic acid, oleic acid, (fruit); oleuropein (plant)

For rheumatism (berries); for promoting perspiration (decoction of bark and leaf); nonlymphatic leukaemia, stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, may have beneficial effects on the liver, menopausal problems (especially premature menopause), blurred vision, cataracts, tinnitus, rheumatic pains, palpitations, backache and insomnia (fruit)