Large, deciduous tree, old brances sometimes with stout spines; leaves elliptic-oblong, acuminate, bright green above, paler below, veined prominent on under surface; petiole short and stout; flowers in large, handsome, cylindric, terminal panicles; calyx tomentose, ridges 12-14, teeth 6-7, sepals with thickened margins; petals 6-7, wedge shaped, long clawed, pink to purple, margins undulate; stamens many, filaments slender, equal, shorter than style; ovary glabrous at the tip; capsule broadly ovoid, seated on persistent, woody, thickened, ribbed calyx, lobes short, triangular; seeds many, elongate, flat, erect, winged.