Glabrous shrub or small tree up to 5 m high. Twigs rounded, slightly ribbed. Lvs ovate to rhombic, truncate to obtuse at base, acute to acuminate or rarely obtuse at apex, (3)-5-15-(20) cm long, usually turning red in cooler part of year; seedling lvs broadly ovate, truncate at base; petioles >, =, or < blade; stipules soon deciduous. Racemes up to 17 cm long, usually with few solitary long-pedicellate ♀ fls below or at base, and many clusters of (1)-3-4 short-pedicellate ♂ fls (racemes rarely unisexual, or with 1-2 ♂ fls clustered with upper ♀); each group of fls subtended by a bract and 2 prominent glands. ♂ fls: stamens 4-10; perianth segments 2. ♀ fls: ovary 2-celled; styles 2. Fr. ± smooth, grooved between the 2 cells, ridged on keels, glaucous, 8-10 mm diam.