Tree, branches with prominent petiole scars. Stems and branches sparsely puberulous. Leaves at the end of branches arising from closely set internodes, opposite and decussate, 4-7.5 cm long, 1.3-3 cm broad, elliptic to oblong-elliptic, apex acute to acuminate; petiole c. 1 cm long; leaf surfaces and petiole pubescent to tomentose; hairs white, appressed, medifixed. Heads 1-1.5 cm in diameter, subtended by 4 obovate bracts. Bracts c. 2.5 cm long, 1.5-2 cm broad, puberulent, yellow-white, apex acute. Calyx teeth rounded. Petals 2 mm, oblong, inflexed. Calyx and corolla puberulous. Anthers less than 1 mm, filaments shorter than the petals. Style c. 1 mm long, sparsely hairy. Fruit a head of coalesed drupes, succulent when ripe.

Fl.Per.: May July.

Type: Described from the Himalayas.

Distribution: The Himalayan region, from Kulu to Bhutan, Khasi and Naga Hills.

Lambert (Indian For. Bull. 80.1933) reports this species from the Muzaffarabad district of Kashmir, but I have not seen any authentic specimen from our area. The record needs confirmation. The strawberry-like fruit is edible.