Description
Erect or climbing shrub, 1.5 - 5 meters high. Leaves are distichous, pale beneath, oblong to elliptic-oblong, 1.5-4 cm long. Flowers are solitary, 2-3 mm long, green and tinged with purple. Fruit is depressed-globose, 5-7 mm diameters, soft, fleshy, smooth and black when mature.

Distribution
Common in thickets at low and medium altitudes.

Parts utilized
Leaves, fruit.

Constituents and characteristics
Leaves contain a tannic acid, but no alkaloid.
Bark is astringent, diuretic, alterative and attenuant.

Uses
Folkloric
· Decoction or infusion of dried bark used for dysentery.
· Powdered leaf used for sores, burns, suppurations.
· Fruit is astringent to the bowels; used for diarrhea in infants.
Other
· Juice of ripe fruit used as ink.

Availability
Wild-crafted.