A deciduous shrub or small tree reach 12 feet (>3 m) in height with a spread of 6-8 feet (1.5-2 m). The palmately compound dark green leaves have 5-7 leaflets and are oblong, lanceolate, and narrowly elliptic. Bark is grayish brown. Flowers numerous in upright branched clusters 10-15 cm (4-6 in) long at ends of leafy branches, bright red, somewhat bell-shaped, 13-19 mm (0.5-0.8 in) long, blooming in late Spring after the leaves appear. Fruits rounded capsules about 3 cm (1.2 in), smooth, light brown, maturing in Fall. Seeds 1-3 per fruit, large, hard, shiny, dark brown or black with a large paler basal spot.

Hypnotic and odontalgic (bark)

Floridata
Plants for a Future

For ulcers (bark); in the treatment of cancer tumours and infections, and as a salve for sores (seeds); dyspepsia (root infusion)