Distylium racemosum Siebold & Zuccarini var. chinense Franchet ex Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 23: 290. 1887.

Shrubs to 1 m tall; young branches stout, internodes 2–4 mm, older growth glabrescent. Petiole 1.5–2 mm, densely lepidote; leaf blade elliptic to oblanceolate, 2–4 × 1–1.2 cm, both surfaces glabrous, base broadly cuneate, margin entire or with 2 or 3 teeth on each side near apex, apex subacute; lateral veins 5 on each side, reticulate veins obscure on both surfaces. Inflorescences 1–1.5 cm. Floral bracts ovate or lanceolate, 1.2–1.5 mm. Stamens 2–7, 4–7 mm; filaments slender; anthers ovoid. Capsules 0.7–0.8 cm, dehiscing by 4 valves; persistent styles 1–2 mm. Seeds 3–4 mm. Fl. Apr–Jun, fr. Jun–Aug.

Wet places, river sides or stream sides; 1000--1300 m. Hubei, Sichuan.