Myrsine fosbergii (kolea), a member of the Primulaceae (primrose) family, is a branched shrub or small tree measuring 2 to 4 m (6 to 13 ft) tall. The branches are dark reddish brown with clusters of leaves near the tip of each branch. The leaves are predominantly dark green with a dark purple base, and measure 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5 in) long and 1 to 3 cm (0.4 to 1 in) wide, giving them a narrow, elliptical shape. Flowers are perfect or possibly unisexual (and then plants dioecious), 4 to 8 bracteolate bundled and arising on short woody knobs among the leaves. Pedicels 5 to 8 mm (0.02 to 0.03 in) long and sparsely puberulent or glabrous. Calyx lobes are 0.9 to 1.2 mm (0.03 to 0.04 in) long, glabrous, with margins ciliate. Petals are oblanceolate, 2.8 to 3.5 mm (0.01 in) long with margins ciliate. Anthers are ca. 2 mm (0.01 in) long, apex with a small tuft of hairs and stigma shaped in a head. Drupes are purplish black, globose, ca. 6 to 9 mm (0.02 to 0.03 in) diameter.