Emergent deciduous tree to 80 m tall, to 3 m diameter. Leaves in whorls of 4-8. Inflorescence 4-18 cm long, many-flowered with cream corolla, flowers 3-5 mm long. Fruits in paired divergent follicles, woody, dehiscing at maturity, 18-40 cm long. The species is deciduous and flowers for about 10 days on bare branches immediately after the leaves are shed. Its light winged seeds are dispersed by wind.