Tree to about 15 m or so tall with scaly bark, erect trunk and ascending branches. Leaves broadly ovate, bristle-toothed, 8-14 cm long with cordate base, glossy above, occasionally with matted grey hair beneath, fragrant when young. Leaf stalk 4-5 cm long. Flower clusters about 2 cm wide, surrounded by the 2 opposite and unequal, creamy white, 8-16 cm-long, hanging white bracts; Oct-Nov. Fruit an ellipsoid drupe about 2.5 cm long, purplish when mature.

var. vilmoriniana (Dode) Wanger is the most common variety in cultivation; it has hairless leaves except on the veins below (the species has grey down below).

Endangered in its native habitat.

SW China.

VIC: Ballarat (Bot. Gds); Dandenongs ('Pirianda'); Frankston (Long Island Golf Club); Kallista (Old Williams' Nsy site)

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Nyssaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.