Shrub or tree, sometimes much branched but not climbing, 2–7 (9) m. high. Branches spreading, ± densely brownish-pubescent or -tomentellous at first, eventually glabrous, with ± prominent and persistent petiole-bases. Leaves petiolate; lamina 3–10 (15) x 1.5–5 (6) cm., elliptic-oblong to obovate, obtuse to rounded or emarginate at the apex, cuneate to rounded or subcordate at the base, chartaceous or subcoriaceous, concolorous, ± glabrescent above and often also below, but persistently appressed-pubescent or tomentellous along the midrib below, with arcuate-ascending nerves slightly prominent on both sides or only below and reticulate venation usually prominent only above; petiole 1–4 (8) mm. long, pubescent. Flowers solitary, axillary, subsessile, opening after leaf-fall; bracteoles 2–3, elliptic-orbicular, cucullate, densely brown-appressed-pubescent outside, glabrous and rugose within, the inner pair enclosing the bud, caducous. Sepals 4–6 mm. long, ovate-elliptic, acute or obtuse, cucullate, brown-sericeo-pilose outside, glabrous and rugose within, spreading widely at anthesis. Petals yellow or cream, thin, subequal, the inner whorl narrower, 10–20 mm. long, narrowly lanceolate, corrugated, obtuse, brown-sericeous outside near the base, appressed-puberulous towards the apex and within. Stamens 1–1.5 mm. long, linear or obconic, glabrous; connective-appendage capitate. Carpels 4–6, densely pubescent. Fruit subsessile; fruiting carpels 1–3 (4), several-seeded, 2–3.5 x 1–1.5 cm., cylindric-ellipsoid to obovoid, not apiculate, sometimes constricted between the seeds, sparsely brown-puberulous, finely rugose, scarlet, sessile. Seeds 1.2–1.5 x 0.6–0.7 cm., semi-lunar, triquetrous.
