Tree up to c. 20 m, sometimes shrubby. Young shoots tomentose. Leaves oblong to elliptic-oblong, 3.5-12 x l.6-7.5 cm, obtuse, rarely acute, green and glabrescent above, rusty tomentose on the under surface, leathery, nerves forked, margin entire to spinose. Male inflorescence 4-8 cm long, dense flowered, tomentose; bracts broadly ovate, 2-2.2 mm long, ciliate; perianth segments obtuse; stamens 5-8, filaments c. 2 mm long, anthers oblong, glabrous. Cupule 1.2-1.4 cm broad, pubescent, scales obtuse or acute. Nut subglobose, 2.2-2.5 cm long, glabrescent, dark brown when mature.