Trees; bark ash or grey coloured, reddish when cut. Leaves red and pendulous when young, simple, opposite, 8-12 x 2-4.5 cm, elliptic to oblong- lanceolate, base broadly attenuate or rounded, apex acuminate or cuspidate, coriaceous, shiny above, glaucous beneath and generally covered with a wax-like white powder beneath; nerves many, close and parallel; petiole to 1 cm long. Flowers white, scented, solitary or in pairs at axils, bisexual, 4.5-5.5 cm, across. Sepals 4 in two pairs, 1.3-1.6 cm long, broadly ovate, persistent. Petals 4, sometimes 5, white with brown veins, obovate or obcordae, margins curled. Stamens numerous; anthers yellow. Ovary 4-6 mm long, ovoid; ovules 2 in each locule; stigma peltate. Fruits ovoid; seeds 1-4, pyriform, dark brown.