Leaves are alternate, thinly coriaceous, deep green and lustrous above. Young leaves are tinged red.

White many flowers open in May to June.

This tree grows in the warm temperate zone.The old name is Sobanoki, nowadays people use this name for a dialect in Kouchi Prefecture and Kii Peninsula.

The wood is used for wheels, axels, handles of instruments. The tree is planted for hedges.

Distribution ; Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, China