Short, fast-growing tree or bush, up to 2 m tall. Stems are reddish, covered with small scales. Leaves are ovate, up to 5-15 cm long, leathery, with 3 pronounced veins, pubescent below. Flowers up to 8 cm in diameter, from light pink to dark purple-pink, can also be white and purple. Fruits 6-10 mm wide are round and open unevenly when ripe, exposing dark blue flesh with many small seeds. The fruits are edible, but tasteless, the pulp stains the tongue blue-black.