A bushy shrub that can grow up to 2 metres in height. The leaves are alternate, glossy or shinny on the top (bay1) with fine hairs on the lower surface. The plants as dioecious (having either male (bay3) or female (bay2) flowers on different plants. The male catkins are 1.2 cm ling and the female catkins are 1 cm long. Flowering occurs in June. The fruits are nearly round nutlets covered with a waxy white substance (bay4) The entire plant is quite fragrant.
