A large, deciduous tree with an upright trunk and weeping branches bearing elliptic to ovate, wavy-margined, glossy, maroon to dark purple leaves turning orange to reddish-brown in autumn. Inconspicuous flowers in spring are followed by spiny, capsule-like, brown fruit in autumn.
Height 9m (29ft), Spread 4.5m (15ft), 20-50 years to maturity.