(modifié de Coste, Flore de la France 1937) :
Arbre élevé ou arbuste à cime bien fournie, à rameaux serrés et régulièrement distiques, à écorce lisse.
Écologie : (répartition d'après la flore) Plaines et basses montagnes, dans toute la France et en Corse.
Répartition hors de France : Europe; Asie tempérée; Afrique septentrionale.
(modified from Butcher, British Flora 1961):
NOTE: the French text is more complete and up-to-date
A large tree up to 25 m. high with a rather cylindrical and interrupted outline. Branches spreading and forming a close canopy and terminal crown, with other interrupted lobes below; twigs rather stout, permanently finely pubescent.
Ecology UK: (distribution according to flora) It grows abundantly in hedgerows and woods throughout England, though much less frequently in the north.
France:
Distribution outside France: ?
Fleurs : presque sessiles, non pendantes; 4-5 étamines;
Floraison France : FI. février-avril; fr. mai.
Flowers: 2.5 mm diam., forming rather large clusters (10-12 mm); scales longer than broad, bracts ovate; perianth lobes red, entire, ciliate.
Flowering UK: early-late March.