A medium-sized tree found on bottomland to well-drained sites in the S.E. coastal plain. It is a common ornamental because of its showy flowers and evergreen leaves. Leaves are leathery, persistent, about 6" long, ovate, entire, bright green, lustrous above, and rusty tomentose below. Buds and twigs are generally with rusty tomentose. Fruit is rusty tomentose. Bark is gray to light brown with small scales and is relatively smooth.