A fairly common small tree or large shrub of forests with large, roundish, wavy-margined leaves.

Carroll Co., VA 6/14/03.

The unusual flowers appear at an unusual time - in late fall, just as the leaves are falling.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

The flowers have a delicate fragrance. Flowering may continue into December.

Carroll Co., VA 11/9/02.

The densely pubescent capsules are unusual, too. These are still ripening.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/3/05.

The capsules take a year to mature. They ripen and split open in late fall, as the next year's flowers appear.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

The naked, hairy buds are distinctively stalked.

Carroll Co., VA 11/9/02.

The bark is smooth with many warty lenticels.

Carroll Co., VA 11/9/02.