It is a small deciduous tree or shrub reaching a height of 5–10 metres (16–33 ft),usually with thorny branches.The leaves are shiny-green,ovate-acute,2–7 centimetres (0.79–2.8 in) wide and 1–3 centimetres (0.39–1.2 in) broad,with three conspicuous veins at the base,and a finely toothed margin.The flowers are small,5 millimetres (0.20 in) wide,with five inconspicuous yellowish-green petals.The fruit is an edible ovaldrupe 1.5–3 centimetres (0.59–1.2 in) deep; when immature it is smooth-green,with the consistency and taste of an apple,maturing brown to purplish-black and eventually wrinkled,looking like a small date.There is a single hard stone similar to an olive stone.