Distylium chinense is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 30 feet (9 meters) tall in the wild. It has glossy, dark green leaves that are 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) long and 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) wide. The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in late winter or early spring that are followed by small, round, red or black fruits.