Solanum sandwicense, a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), is a large sprawling shrub that grows up to 4 m (13 ft) tall. The younger branches are more densely hairy than older branches. The oval leaves are usually 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) long and 5.0 to 14.0 cm (2.0 to 5.5 in) wide and have up to four lobes along the margins. Leaf stalks are 2.0 to 4.0 cm (0.8 to 1.6 in) long. On the flowering stem, as many as 40 flowers are grouped in threes, with each flower on a stalk about 15.0 mm (0.6 in) long, bent at the end so that the flower faces downward. The corolla is white with a faint purplish stripe; each lobe is curved somewhat backward. Stamens are attached low on the corolla tube, with anthers curved inward. The fruit is a berry 13.0 to 15.0 mm (0.5 to 0.6 in) in diameter and black when ripe.