Open deciduous shrub to about 2 m tall. New growth thick, hairy at first. Leaves to about 20 cm long, with 5-7 deep lobes making them look like large versions of some oak leaves; margins with small teeth. Flower clusters more or less elongated, to about 20 cm long. Sterile flowers many, each to about 3 cm wide, whitish but eventually turning purple, long-stalked. Fertile flowers numerous, more or less white; summer. Ovary inferior in flower and fruit.

SE USA

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Hydrangeaceae. 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.