Description
Large, upright, broad, deciduous ornamental tree (H 20-25 m, W 10-15 m). Bark dark grey to black-grey, roughly fissured. Crown broadly conical to flattened spherical. Branches wide open to horizontal. Leaves elongate ovate (6-12 cm), with a serrate margin, leathery, above above, dark green, underneath grey-green, autumn colour yellow-brown to red. Leaves eventually persist on branches untill early spring. Flowers separately arranged in hanging, male and female inflorescence, yellow. Flowering period: May. Fruits elongate (2-3 cm), hard, brown, with characteristic soft, spiny hairs on the cap (cupule). Requires warm sites, otherwise undemanding. Easily withstands drought and heat, wind and urban conditoins.