Shrub erect or scrambling, aromatic, 1-6 m high, square stems hairy, sometimes prickly.  Leaves simple, opposite, occasionally in whorls of three, ovate, margins crenate-serrate; inflorescence a capitate spike; flower tube 6-9 mm and limb 5-7 mm across, ranging from red, orange or yellow; fruit a drupe, ca. 4 mm diameter, ripens dark purple.