[3] The tree is evergreen, with white flowers emerging in spring accompanied by red-colored leaves, and red fruits growing in autumn.

The tree produces a high amount of bright, red colored fruits that are small pomes with diameters ranging from 4–12 millimetres (0.16–0.47 inches), each containing one to four seeds.

The fruits, which ripen in autumn and survive through winter, are a food source to various kinds of birds, including thrushes, waxwings, and starlings.

It is found in mixed forests of central and southern China, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and India.

[3] Three varieties of the species are recognized in the Flora of China:[3][5] The tree is widely used as a greening plant in some mainland Chinese cities, due to the relative ease to plant and maintain, and the tree being less demanding for its surrounding environments.