The leaves are long reverse ovate or elliptical with the broadest toward the short pointed tip. It is a dull green leaf, blunt at the base and not toothed. The bark is light gray and smooth. Flowers are like spreading petals, showy like large tulips, bell shaped but open widely like saucers. They are pink, purple or white with a white center.
Fruit are conelike, cylindrical, and curved.
Composed of many separate pointed fruits that spilt open to expose red seed in early autumn.