Tree up to c. 18 m tall. Leaves ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, 7-16 x 2.4-6 cm, not coriaceous, entire or serrate, the serrations only on the upper half, acuminate, dull green above, whitish pubescent on the under surface, nerve pairs 10-14, base often oblique; petiole l.4-2.3 mm long. Male catkins 3.5-6 cm long, in clusters, pubescent; bracts prominent, 3-4 mm long, ciliate and appressedly pubescent, more or less naviculate; perianth segments lanceolate, about the size of the filaments, unequal, pubescent; stamens 10-14; filaments 1 mm long, anthers slightly shorter, glabrous. Female flowers on short peduncles up to l.5 cm long; styles 3, recurved. Cupule l.2-l.3 cm broad, scales accrescent, in annular rings; rings 5-6 in number. Acorn ovoid, l.8 cm long, glabrescent.
