An evergreen, glabrous shrub or a small tree, 1-3 (-6) m tall. Leaves opposite, 2-7 x 1-4 cm, obovate, spathulate, ovate or orbiculate, cuneate, obtuse or acute, leathery, bright green above, pale beneath, crenate; crenations bearing stiff hairs. Flowers tetramerous, greenish-white, 3-4 mm in diameter, 5-12 in cymes up to 5-10 cm long. Calyx lobes orbicular. Petals broadly ovate to elliptic. Capsule 3-7 mm broad, globose, pinkish, slightly lobed, usually with an apical persistent style; seeds covered with a scarlet aril.

Fl. Per.: May-June.

Type: Described from Japan.

Distribution: Native of China and Japan.

An ornamental plant, cultivated in gardens in the plains and the hills for its beautiful foliage.