Myrsine linearifolia, a member of the Primulaceae (primrose) family, is a branched shrub, 2.5 to 8 m (8.2 to 26.2 ft) tall. The slightly fleshy, linear leaves are 5 to 9 cm (1.7 to 3 in) long, 0.25 to 0.4 cm (0.09 to 0.14 in) wide, often yellowish purple toward the base, and tend to be clustered toward the upper branches. The margins of the leaves are smooth and roll slightly toward the underside of the leaf. One to three apparently perfect (containing male and female parts) flowers, on stalks 1 to 4.2 mm (0.04 to 0.17 in) long, occur in clusters among the leaves. The greenish petals are inversely lance-shaped, about 2.2 to 2.5 mm (0.09 to 0.1 in) long, and also have margins fringed with hairs. At maturity, the fruits are black elliptic-shaped drupes, about 6 mm (0.2 in) long.