Deciduous tree to 20 m tall with rounded crown and fluted trunk. Leaves10-20 cm long, opposite, elliptic-oblong, young leaves hairy below soon losing the hairs. Flowers c. 5 cm across, pink-purple fading to pale pink, mostly flowering in March to April when leafless in dense clusters on short side branches. Fruits 1.3-3 cm long, spherical or oval, capsular.