It is found in eastern and southern African locations e.g. Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

[2] Various projects are investigating methods of propagation under controlled conditions with subsequent planting in the wild.

The evergreen leaf blades are lance-shaped, measuring up to 11 cm long by 3 wide.

The fruit is a berry, leathery purple or black in color when ripe, measuring up to 4 cm wide.

[4] The bitter taste of the tree's bark and leaves is due to the presence of iridoids.