A medium-sized, intolerant pioneer on moist bottomlands of the Pacific coast. Leaves are ovate-elliptical and doubly serrate-dentate with glandular tips. Twigs are red-brown. Buds have 2-3 red, pubescent, valvate scales. Fruits are nutlets in an oblong-ovoid strobile. Bark is initially smooth or with small warty excrescences; later with large, flat plates.