Leaves are alternate, obovate-oblong to oblanceolate, or oblong, acute with an obtuse tip, acute at the base, entire and somewhat waved on the margin, coriaceous, deep green, glabrous and lustrous above, paler, glaucous beneath.

Flowers in February to April, solitary in the upper axils of the annotinous shoots, white with a purplish-red center, fragrant.

Syncarps maturing in October to November.

This tree is scatteredly found in laurisilvae of southern Japan, and tolerant, preferring to grow on mesic fertile soils.

It is planted in the grounds of shrines and temples from olden times, recently in park.

The wood, rather light and soft, is used for furniture, utensils, pillar.

Distribution ; Honshu (Boso peninsula to west), Shikoku, Kyushu, Ryukyu