The species vary in size, some only reaching 1-1.5 m, while R. ferruginea can reach 10 m. The leaves are alternate, leathery, glossy dark green, simple, 3–9 cm long, with an entire or serrated margin. The flowers are white or pink, 1–2 cm diameter, produced in small to large corymbs. The fruit is a small pome 1–2 cm diameter, ripening dark purple to black, usually containing only a single seed.