Leaves are elliptical to oblanceolate with mostly invisible lateral veins. In contrast, lateral veins are evident in Cyrilla .
Twigs are smooth and angled with chestnut brown buds, shield-shaped leaf scars and one bundle scar.
Bark is mottled brown and smooth. White flowers are stalked on the tip of branches forming fragrant racemes. Buckwheat-tree is a shrub or small tree that may form dense stands in swamps and along streams and rivers in the southeast Coastal Plain. Intolerant of shade. Click on photo to enlarge.