Introduced, warm-season, perennial herb to small shrub, commonly 1-2 m tall. Leaves are elliptical to oval with pointed tips, green turning red. Flowerheads are dense spike-like racemes of small greenish white flowers which develop into shiny succulent berries (to 10 mm across) that ripen to a dark reddish-purple. Flowering is from late spring to autumn. A native of tropical America, it is found in disturbed sites, wastelands and roadsides (e.g. where timber has been pushed up or burnt and where soil has been freshly cleared). Prefers moist areas and can invade areas of native vegetation if there is disturbance. An indicator of disturbance. Berries and leaves may be poisonous to stock, but are rarely grazed. Can be successfully controlled by chipping deeply enough to remove the crown. Hand pulling is ineffective and sap may cause skin irritation. Maintain ground cover and competition for ongoing control.