Lapageria rosea is an evergreen climbing plant reaching over 10 metres (33 ft) high among shrubs and trees.

The leaves are arranged alternately and are evergreen, leathery, lanceolate and feature three to seven prominent parallel veins.

[3][4] In the past its fruit was sold in markets, but the plant has now become rare through over-collection and forest clearance.

P. buxifolia), another plant from the Valdivian flora, having similar flowers, but shrubby rather than climbing.

[6] In cultivation the plant requires a shaded, sheltered position with acid or neutral soil.

This collection was started by T Harper Goodspeed, botany professor at UCB and alternately curator or director of the gardens from 1919–1957.

The University established a relationship with El Vergel Farm, a Methodist mission and agricultural school in Angol, Chile which housed the largest collection of named cultivars and wild lapagerias in the world.