Wild shrub or small tree, up to 7 m tall. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, 7–12.5 × 3–5 cm; petiole 5–7 mm long, young leaves cream to pale red. Flowers numerous, small, white. Fruits ovoid, 6 × 5 mm, white.

Common in evergreen forests, along riverbanks, and in lowland forests behind sand dunes along beaches. Propagated by seed sowing or planting suckers or stem cuttings.
Shoots and young leaves are eaten raw or blanched and served with nam phrik (dipping sauces), khanom jeen (fermented rice noodle), or various foods of southern Thailand, as well as in sup sen sai phak mek (spicy vermicelli salad), a dish of north-eastern Thailand.