Shrub or small tree with opposite, ± clustered leaves with acute/acuminate top, whereas V. thouarsii has rounded leaf tips. Stout twigs hollow; colleters at the nodes. Leaves 15 – 30 x 6 – 12 cm, with 12 – 15 pairs of laterals. Fruit with two ± globular carpels, containing numerous seeds. Fairly common pioneering tree in open areas, along rivers, rocky sites, riversides. See also PROTA database.