Shrub with large, oval-shaped, glossy, prominently-veined dark green leaves that may be in pairs (opposite) or whorls of 3 or 4.   Flower buds, fruit, and the many white tubular flowers are densely packed into round button-shaped clusters.  The flowers appear during the summer.  Found along streams and in wet soils. Photographed at Lake Carasaljo Municipal Park.

August.  Inflorescence being pollinated by insects.