• Shape: Multi-stemmed shrub
• Leaf/Branch Arrangement: Opposite
• Flower: Green miniscule
• Leaves: egg-shaped, 1 ½-2 ¾ inches long, ¾-1 ¼ inches wide, densely hairy on underside
• Bark: young twigs shiny and covered with rusty brown scales, older bark gray and rough
• Fruit/Seed: bright red berry, ¼-1/3 inch diameter, covered with scattered brown scales
• Height: 1-10 feet
• Flowering: April - May
• Habitat: open woods, forest edges, riverbanks, rocky shores, rock outcrops
• Other: State Special Concern status