It has handsome, glossy dark green leaves which grow up to 15cm in length. The leaves are thick and leathery to the touch with a slender and broadly elliptical shape, making it an excellent shrub for providing drought resistant hedging and screens.

It produces small white flowers in erect racemes up to 12cm in length between May and June which are followed by cherry-like glossy red fruits which soon turn to black.

Also known as English Laurel and Common Laurel.