Tree up to 12 m. tall; bark dark brown; branchlets ± pubescent when young, lenticels ∞. Lvs of juvenile plants 2-6 × 1-3 cm., about elliptic-oblong in outline; margins crenate, often deeply lobed, sinus obtuse. Lvs of adults 3·5-8·5 × 2-3·5 cm., on petioles up to 1 cm. long, us. less; lamina ovate to broad-ovate to ovate-elliptic, obtuse to subacute, margins crenate. Spikes axillary, rarely terminal, solitary or paired or rarely 3 together; staminate up to 3 cm. long, densely fld; pistillate up to 2.5 cm. long, fls distichously arranged. Drupe broad-ovoid, red, c. 6·5 mm. diam.

2n = 28