Medium to large deciduous tree up to 20 m with spreading crown. Bark greyish brown, flaky, rough in older specimens, sometimes with small blunt spines at bottom of trunks or on branches; twigs with lenticels. Leaves alternate, elliptic to obovate, 40-180 x 25-120 mm, usually 70-80 x 35-40 mm, dark green, glossy above, paler green below, frequently bright orange in autumn; lateral veins often yellowish, running straight to the margin and forming a herring-bone pattern; apex tapering to rounded, margin entire.

Flowers in small tight yellow clusters in axils of leaves (Oct.-Dec.). Fruit an oval berry, 8 x 4 mm, black when mature, edible and sweet tasting (Jan.- Mar.).