It is found in Macaronesia where it is native to Madeira, extinct in the Canary Islands,[3] and considered an introduced species in the Azores.

It is an evergreen narrowly upright shrub or small tree, growing to about 6 m tall and 4 m wide.

The flowers are small, white and fragrant, similar in appearance to those of lily of the valley, hence the common name.

The flowers are grouped in terminal panicles and bloom in early to mid summer.

[4] The plant is toxic to humans; it contains andromedotoxin which may cause diarrhea and even sudden death.