This is a medium to large tree, that has been classified as mostly evergreen (Carr 1988) or deciduous or semi-deciduous (Van Wyk & Van Wyk 1997) tree. This beautifully decorative tree's leaves turn bright red to purple in winter, dropping just before flowering, which starts around August and continues through to November.The flowers are creamy-white and carried in dense heads. Some trees also have a showy flush of small white leaves in spring which either turn green (Palmer & Pitman 1972) or are replaced by the bright green leaves (Coates Palgrave 2002). Four-winged fruit carried in clusters from about February to June follow the flowers. The fruit are small, light to dark red and turn a conspicuous brownish red when dry
