Shrubs dwarf alpine. Branchlets usually tomentose. Leaf blade obovate when young, thick, margin entire or denticulate. Flowering coetaneous or serotinous. Catkins lateral, with leaflets at base; bracts nearly uniformly colored, or slightly dull distally. Male flower: gland solitary, adaxial, entire or 2-cleft; stamens 2, distinct; filaments tomentose or glabrous. Female flower: ovary downy, shortly stipitate.