Young Duranta erecta plant

Duranta erecta grows as a sprawling shrub or (rarely) as a small tree. It can reach a height of 6 m (20 ft) and a width of the same. Axillary thorns are present in mature specimens but are sometimes lacking in younger ones. 

The leaves are light green, opposite, elliptic to ovate, and up to 7.5 cm (3.0 in) long and 3.5 cm (1.4 in) broad, with a 1.5 cm petiole.

The flowers are light blue or lavender, formed in tight clusters on terminal and axillary stems, sometimes looking as panicles, and bloom in July. The fruit is a tiny globose yellow or orange berry with numerous seeds that can grow up to 11 mm (0.43 in) in diameter.