A small tree, usually no more than 23 ft tall, usually with a leaning trunk and irregular branching. Crown is small, irregular, often with few leaves. The leaves are star-shaped, with pointed lobes. Flowers are large, bright yellow, with many yellow or orange stamen, very conspicuous during the December-January flowering period. Many trees are leafless when flowers are produced, but others have some leaves. Fruits are green pods filled with tiny seeds that have light fluff for wind transport. A widespread and common tree of pastures, farms, towns, and roadsides