A decidious shrub growing to 10m by 10m. Leaves opposite, simple, ovate to elliptic, to 12 cm long, 6-7 pairs of veins, dull green above, the underside is light green with (but not always) red-brown tufts of hairs in the axils of veins. Flowers open in early spring before leaves appear, yellow, in short stalked umbels (20 mm in diam.) enclosed in 4 bracts, pedicels twice as long as bracts. Fruit an oblong drupe 1.5 cm long, bright cherry red.

Antibacterial, antifungal, hypotensive, antitumor, astringent, diuretic, hepatic and tonic (fruit); astringent, antimalarial and tonic (stem bark); antibacterial, diuretic, hypotensive and a urinary antiseptic (plant).

Plants for a Future

Gallic acid, isoterchebin, loganin, malic acid, sweroside, tartaric acid (fruit); oleanolic acid (seed); ursolic acid (fruit, seed).

To reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and unusually active secretions including copious sweating, excessive urine, spermatorrhoea and premature ejaculation (herb); for the treatment of arthritis, fever and a wide range of other ailments (fruit); for allergy, backache, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, menorrhagia, nephrosis, night sweats, vertigo.