Medium-sized tree reaching 50 ft. tall and 2 ft. dbh. It has a rounded crown with heavy branches.

Leaves:
 Arrangement: opposite; pinnate-netted

 Shape: cordate to oval with an acuminate tip

 Margin: entire with ciliate margin

 Texture: thick, velvety pubescence

 Variation: pinnate

Smooth and dotted with lenticels when young, becoming gray and furrowed with alternating smooth patches with age.

Pubescent, light brown and stout with lenticels, closed bundle scars and elliptical leaf scars, bud scales absent on terminal buds.

Fruit is a yellowish capsule & remains over winter

Heart-shaped, large leaves (note penny on seedling leaf in image at right), very sticky seeds, pinkish purple flowers.

Native to China and planted in US as an ornamental tree

Intolerant; moist slopes and stream banks

Invasive species along roadsides, waterways, and pastures. However, the wood can is quite valuable.