It is native to central Chile from 30 to 35°S., up to 1200 meters (4000 ft) above sea level and lives under very dry conditions.

[2] Reaches 25 meters (82 ft) height[3] and 80 cm (31 in) diameter.

Leaves are simple, opposite and subopposite, aovate to aovate-elliptical, entire margin, wavy, above they are dark and glossy, below they are glaucous, obtuse to emarginate apex, obtuse to slightly subcordate base, the leaves are about 4–11 cm long and 1,5–5 cm wide, petioles very pubescent about 5–10 mm long.

Flowers are hermaphrodite, in inflorescences about 3–10 cm; pedicellate about 2–5 mm, yellow greenish, pubescent and fleshy tepals, the style ends in a papillose and obtuse stigma.

Its fruit is a brown drupe when ripe and is sometimes used for feeding pigs.