It is a much-branched, often dense, scrambling or spreading, weak-stemmed shrub or a tree, sometimes with a climbing habit. It usually grows 2 - 5 metres tall, occasionally to 10 metres. The branches are long and slender; either horizontal, arching or pendent. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials for basketry. A plant decoction is drunk and used as a vapour bath to treat corneal ulcers. A root decoction is drunk to treat cough. A root and bark infusion is used to bathe sore eyes. A leaf decoction is taken in the treatment of measles; the leaves, mixed with butter, are applied to the skin for the same purpose. The flexible stems are used in making fish traps, baskets etc.