[2][3] It is native to China, Japan, India, and Indochina.

[1][4][5] The species have often been included within the related genus Aleurites.

[6][7] They are shrubs or trees growing to 20 m tall.

The leaves are alternate, broad, and entire to palmately lobed; they may be either deciduous or evergreen.

The flowers may be either monoecious or dioecious.