Plant: Shrub generally 1.5-4 m; stem: branches reddish to purple, ± glabrous to minutely strigose; older stems grayish green, generally glabrous Leaves: deciduous, opposite or whorled, simple; blade generally 5-10 cm, lanceolate to ovate or elliptic, paler beneath, sparsely strigose, veins 4-7 pairs INFLORESCENCE: cyme, strigose, large, open Flowers: minute; sepals 4, fused at base; petals 4, 2-4.5 mm; stamens 4, attached to receptacle; style 1, 1-3 mm, thread-like, stigma simple Fruit: drupe, 7-9 mm, white to cream; stone smooth to grooved on face, furrowed on sides, 1-2-chambered Misc: Many, generally moist habitats; < 2800 m