The Garden Quinine is considered to be an erect, drooping or straggling shrug that belongs to the plant family Verbenaceae. The shrubs grows to a height of 1 to 2.5 metres and is found mostly in the coastal areas. The simple leaves are arranged opposite each other. They are elliptic or ovate and about 2 to 4cm. wide and 4 to 8 cm. long. The petioles of the leaves have a characteristics brown or purplish re colour. the inflorescence or cluster of white flowers are borne on a common base in the axils of leaves or terminally. The fruits are drupes, obovoid, black in colour, and are one-seeded.