A beautiful leaved plant which can be grown as a large shrub or a small tree. It generally reaches heights of around 6m (20ft) in cultivation. It has rather an erect habit, though the branches are spreading. The foliage is attractive, with pinnate leaves and toothy leaflets, similar to the foliage of a rowan. The leaves have a pleasant sheen and remain on the tree till late in the year. The flowers are the chief glory of the tree. They are held in short racemes up to 25cm (10in) in length and appear in May. The individual flowers are white with a red eye and are produced on the previous year's wood. The fruit is held in little green capsules which split open and display rich brown coloured seeds.