This group consists of about twelve evergreen shrubs and small trees from East and Southeast Asia and Central America. Distylium racemosum (Isu Tree) is a wide-spreading medium-sized to large-shrub that slowly grows to tree size in the wild. It has leathery, shiny dark green leaves. Its flowers, having no petals, consist of red stamens. They are produced in short racemes from mid- to late spring.

The Isu Tree will flourish in light, loamy soil enhanced with peat. Pruning consists of shortening overgrown branches after flowering.

Cuttings, 3 to 4 inches long, can be taken in July and inserted in a closed frame. The lower branches may be layered in the spring.

Distylium racemosum.