There are many varieties of nanmu. For example, yangmu is a large evergreen tree from Yunnan and parts of Sichuan province, while zinanmu ("golden-grain") is found in Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi and parts of southern Jiangsu. It is a pleasant softwood, notable for being generally knotty in the grain. It seldom expands or contracts very much and was considered one of the best softwoods for Ming and early Qing furniture, especially in cabinets and bookcases.