Leaves simple, opposite, elliptic to oblong, thick, tough, both surfaces smooth but ridged slightly by raised venation, green and shiny, paler below, abruptly tapered to a point at the apex, the widest part of the leaf.
Flowers are perfumed, creamy/white, in terminal racemes from August to October. Separate male and female flowers on same plant.
Fruit 12-18 mm capsule green turning brown containing (but not always)3 mottled-brown seeds December to March.
The sap was used by early settlers as a tonic astringent and for staining furniture and marking convicts’ clothing.

Leaves Photo: Robert Whyte
Baloghia after Dr Joseph Balogh who wrote a book on the plants Of a northern provence of Romania. Balogh is a Hungarian surname.
Propagate from fresh seed. Can also be grown from cuttings which strike easily.
Seldom seen in cultivation, but an attractive plant.

Leaf undersurface Photo: Robert Whyte

Scar on stem Photo: Robert Whyte

Glands Photo: Robert Whyte