Myrsine vaccinioides is a small, branched shrub 0.3 to 1 m (1 to 3.3 ft) tall with glabrous (smooth) brown to reddish-brown branches. The leaves are leathery, obovate (inversely ovate; egg-shaped), and glabrous. The flowers are apparently perfect and arise in fascicles (clusters) among or just below the leaves; the inner surface with raised, reddish secretory lines. The fleshy fruit are purplish-black and subglobose (sphere-like), 8 to 9.5 mm (0.3 to 0.4 in) in diameter.