It is a small deciduous tree
or shrub
reaching a height of 5–12 metres (16–39 ft), usually with thorny branches. The leaves
are shiny-green, ovate-acute, 2–7 centimetres (0.79–2.76 in) long and 1–3 centimetres (0.39–1.18 in) wide, with three conspicuous veins at the base, and a finely toothed margin. The flowers
are small, 5 mm (0.20 in) wide, with five inconspicuous yellowish-green petals. The fruit
is an edible oval drupe
1.5–3 centimetres (0.59–1.18 in) deep; when immature it is smooth-green, with the consistency and taste of an apple
with lower acidity, maturing brown to purplish-black, and eventually wrinkled, looking like a small date. There is a single hard kernel, similar to an olive pit
containing two seeds.
