Plants shrubby, 1-2 m tall. Stem stout, fistular. Leaves lanceolate to ovate, 12-30 cm long, 4-10 cm broad; petioles short. Inflorescence leaf opposed, short peduncled raceme, up to 25 cm long. Flowers greenish, 5 mm in diameter, pedicellate, bracteate. Bracts linear. Bracteoles 2, linear. Perianth 5, polyphyllous, each oblong, obtuse. Stamens 10, persistent. Carpels 6 8, free; 1 basal ovule in each; style prominent. Fruit a cluster of dark purple berries. Seeds compressed; testa almost black, glabrous.

Fl. Per. June August.

Distribution: Himalayas in India and Pakistan, China, Japan.

A fairly common plant from 1500 3000 m in the Murree, Kaghan and Kashmir hills. The roots contain a resinoid substance, phytolaccin, which is used in medicine. They are also used to dilute belladonna. The leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable. Uncooked leaves are poisonous.