A deciduous shrub or small tree of spreading habit, 20 ft high. Leaves simple, oval-lanceolate, 3 to 8 in. long, 11⁄2 to 3 in. wide, shortly pointed, sharply and regularly toothed, the stalk (1⁄2 to 1 in. long) and midrib covered with reddish-brown hairs, veins parallel, as in a sweet chestnut. Panicles terminal, 6 in. or more long, and about the same wide, much branched; the main-stalk and all its ramifications covered with brown hairs. Flowers minute, about 1⁄8 in. diameter, very numerous, yellowish white, very fragrant. Fruit crowded in a broad panicle, each one about the size of a peppercorn, dark red.
Native of Japan and the Korean Archipelago; introduced from the former to the Coombe Wood nursery in 1879 by Maries. The original plant, now unfortunately no longer at Kew, was a fine spreading bush about 8 ft high and 12 ft through, and flowered with freedom every year in late June and July. It is, nevertheless, a rather tender subject when young; plants unprotected in the open at Kew have often perished. When once a strong woody base has been formed it will probably survive, but until then some winter protection is necessary.