It has shiny, dark green, fine textured foliage. Fall colors are very attractive ranging from clear yellow, apricot to orange-red and plum. It can be grown as a single or multi-trunked tree or as a very large shrub. The gray bark on the trunk and larger branches is smooth, and often deeply muscled. Seeds are enclosed in interesting papery bracts.
Form is wide spreading and plants can occupy a large space if grown in the shrub form.
Needs fertile, moist, well drained soil. It is an understory plant in its native habitat. Prune off lower limbs if a more tree-like form is desired. Subject to iron chlorosis in alkaline soils. No serious insect or disease problems.