A small to medium sized shrub.

Twigs are bright red-purple, berries are white, leaves are shortly pointed.

In moist soils, alongside streams, wetland, often found in wet fields, under powerlines, in roadside ditches.

Coppices well, roots well from cuttings, roots shallow and fibrous, takes inundation quite well. Very common shrub, often found growing in large patches. Shade intolerant, easily suppressed by other species of shrubs. An excellent candidate for providing habitat on small streams. Also provides excellent wildlife habitat.