Shrub to tree to 6(-20) m tall, with corky, longitudinally furrowed bark; twigs glabrous, with clearly chambered pith; buds to ca. 1.2 mm long, leaves revolute.  Leaves rarely ± subopposite at few nodes; coriaceous, ovate, 4-11.5(-13) x 1.6-4.5(-5.3) cm, base cuneate to rounded, apex acuminate, margin entire (slightly sinuous), plane to very slightly revolute near base, adaxial surface glabrous to very slightly pubescent near extreme basal portion of midvein, abaxial surface glabrous, with few to several inconspicuous glandular dots along midvein; petiole 6.5-13 mm long.  Inflorescences (fascicle-like) axillary racemes to 0.5-2.5(-4) cm long; rachis essentially glabrous to sparsely pubescent; pedicels 3.5-8.5 mm long, glabrous; bracteoles 2, alternate, nearly basal to within lower 1/4 of pedicel, triangular to narrowly so, to ca. 0.8 mm long; floral bracts to 1.3 mm long.  Flowers with triangular calyx lobes, with acuminate apices, 1.2-2.6(-3) x 0.7-2 mm, abaxial surface glabrous; corolla cylindrical, white, 8.5-13 x 3-7.5 mm, glabrous; filaments 5-7.5 mm long; anthers 1.3-1.5 mm long; ovary glabrous.  Capsules subglobose to short-ovoid, 3-4.5 x 5-8 mm, placentae subapical; seeds 1.5-2.4 mm long.

    Distribution.  Endemic to Mexico, where it is limited to a small area of Hidalgo, Veracruz, and Puebla in Sierra Madre Oriental, in forest, at 1220-2250 m alt.  Flowering April and May (June).