A tree found in dry uplands in the eastern U.S. except northern New England and the northern Lake States. Leaves are deciduous, and more or less pubescent (yellow-orange) below with axillary tufts and sinuses of variable depth. Twigs are to 1/2", sharp pointed, and angular with loose tomentose scales. Fruit is to 3/4" long with 1/3" enclosed in a deep, bowl-like cap with large, loosely imbicated tomentose scales. Bark breaks up quickly (especially lower stem), and is deeply furrowed with scaly ridges and orange-yellow inner bark.