It grows at altitudes near sea level up to 1,800 m in mixed broadleaf forests.

It is a medium-sized deciduous tree 15–30 m tall, with slate grey bark.

The flowers are also large, cup-shaped, 15–20 cm diameter, with 9-12 creamy, fleshy tepals, red stamens; they have a strong scent, and are produced in early summer after the leaves expand.

The fruit is an oblong-cylindric aggregate of follicles 12–20 cm long and 6 cm broad, bright pinkish red, each follicle containing one or two black seeds with a fleshy orange-red coating.

The wood is strong, light, and easy to work, sought by craftsmen.