Edible: Leaves - tea, Leaves
A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-6 m high. It spreads 2.4-6 m wide. The leaves are broadly oval. They are leathery and 3-5 cm long. They taper at both ends. There are teeth along the edges. The flowers are white or cream with pink tints. They are of one sex. The fruit are purple-black berries. They are 5 mm across.
It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. In E China it grows on mountain slopes and in valleys between 300-2,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.
Common Names: Arruttuvarai, Baunra, Chontra nhat, Deura, Gonte, Hisakaki, Huluni, Jhingni, Murmura, Saseni, Sihneh, Taung-laphet, Taw-laphet, Tukcheong, Tuksol, Tungchung