Shrubs or small trees, to 2 m, young growth densely tomen­tose, hairs white or yellowish, curled. Leaves: blade elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 3.5–7 × 2–4 cm, venation with 3 strong, sub­equal veins, midvein and 2 arcing veins that arise from midvein a few mm distal to base and unitewith it near apex, base cuneate, apex rounded to obtuse. Peduncles 8–15 mm. Inflorescences: bracteolespersistent after anthesis, broadly ovate, 1–3 mm. Flowers: calyx lobes hemiorbiculate to ovate, unequal, to ca. 5 mm; petals elliptic-oblong, to ca. 2 cm; filaments pink or red; ovules biseriate, each ovule partially enclosed in a pocket of tissue that remains after ovule is extracted. Berries 10–15 mm. Seeds 20+, flattened horizontally.

Flowering spring–early summer (or longer). Pinelands, Taxodium swamps, disturbed forests; 0–30 m; introduced; Fla.; se Asia (Borneo, Celebes Islands, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Malaya, Moluccas, Sumatra); Pacific Islands (Hawaii, Philippines).

Variety tomentosa is known in the flora area from Collier County and the central peninsula.