Leaves are alternate, clustered, long petioled, coriaceous, serrate on the margin.

This species is restricted to the cool to warm temperate region.

It consistutes a monotypic family and is characteristic for the wood lacking of vessels.

The wood is used for utensils, turneries. A bird lime is produced from the bark.

Distribution ; Honshu, shikoku, Kyushu, Ryukyu, Formosa