A generally scattered tree on well-drained sites of the coastal plains to southern FL used as a relatively short-lived ornamental. The name refers to the laurel-like leaves. Leaves are tardily deciduous (green until late winter), spatulate, obovate or oblong, and usually entire or 3-lobed at the apex. Twigs are 3/16" and glabrous. Fruit is to 1/2" with a pubescent nut 1/4 enclosed in a thin, saucer-like cap with appressed scales. Bark is dark, and divided by deep furrows into broad flattened ridges.