(1866) Drypetes arguta, commonly known as the water ironplum,[2] is a species of small tree or large bush in the family Putranjivaceae.

[3] Drypetes arguta is a small tree or large straggling shrub, growing to a height of about 8 m (26 ft).

[5] The leaves have short stalks and a pair of yellow linear stipules at the base, and are arranged alternately on slender, greyish twigs.

They are bright green, up to 11 cm (4.3 in) long, elliptical to lanceolate, with uneven bases and attenuated tips.

They are yellowish-green and fragrant, and are followed by globular, fleshy fruit up to 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter which turn orangish-red as they ripen.