Deciduous tree to 30 m tall with coppery crown and slender fluted trunk. Leaves 4-11 cm long, small, lanceolate, slightly asymmetric, with dense coppery stellate hairs beneath. Flowers 2.5-4 cm across, in few-flowered clusters, only calyx, papery, broadly bell-shaped, cream to pale yellow. Fruits 3-5 cm with persistent papery pale brown calyx surrounding a spherical nut c. 8 mm diameter.