Small tree up to c. 8 m. tall (reduced to a shrub in southern part of range). Lateral roots spreading widely, emitting ∞ stout, erect "breathing" roots. Bark grey, furrowed; branches stout, spreading; branchlets pubescent. Lvs on narrowly winged petioles up to c. 1 cm. long. Lamina glab. above, densely clad in white to buff appressed tomentum below, coriac., ± 5-10 × 2-4 cm., ovate to elliptic-oblong, acute to subacute, sts mucronate; margins slightly recurved. Cymes contracted into small 4-8-fld heads on erect angled pubescent peduncles ± 2 cm. long. Fls c. 6-7 mm. diam.; calyx-lobes ovate-oblong, ± pilose; corolla-lobes coriac., ovate, silky-hairy. Capsule ± 2 cm. diam., ovoid.