Tree or shrub, evergreen, up to 8(10) m in height (some specimens cited as 18 m), typically without a well defined main trunk from the ground. The “base” of the trunk is elevated on a set of aerial roots forming a type of dome of 1 or more m in height; on the top of this dome the roots progressively converge shaping a single trunk that soon branches. Bark greyish or orange-grey, smooth, on branches with elliptical scars left by the base of the petioles of fallen leaves. Leaves opposite (6-15 \u00d7 4-9 cm) coriaceous, glabrous, elliptical to obovate-elliptical, entire, with acute or obtuse apex but always mucronate, rounded or cuneate base; green yellowish when young, turning dark green above as they mature, and slightly lighter beneath. Midrib very prominent, secondary veins hardly visible. Petiole 2-4 cm. Stipules 6-8 \u00d7 1.5-2 cm, acute. Inflorescence in axillary pendulous cymes, with 6-12 pentamerous flowers, with main peduncle 2-4 cm and pedicels about 5 mm. Bracts 1.5-2 mm, coriaceous, persistent. Calyx campanulate, thick, white-greenish, with tube of about 4 mm and lips about 12 mm, ovate, with an acute apex. Petals 8-10 mm long, narrowly ovate to oblong-lanceolate, acute, with long whitish hairs and lanate margins, fleshy, whitish-yellow, that extend between the sepals not over them. Ovary about 4 mm, ovoid-conical. Stamens 8. Fruit an ovoid brown berry, hard, with 1-2 seeds developing inside (viviparity) resulting in an elongated propagule or hypocotyl (up to 40 \u00d7 1.2 cm) circular in cross section, thinly narrowing at the ends, first green, turning dark grey-brown, with lenticels. This propagule is formed on the tree and when it falls it can root directly on the ground or, as it can float in water, it can be carried by ocean currents hundreds of km and root in any tropical beach.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-12195","species","type-species","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n