HABIT.—A medium-sized tree 40-50 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet, forming a rounded to cylindrical crown of slender, spreading, pendulous branches and a stiff, flat spray.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 2-5 inches long, one-half as broad; oblong-obovate to oval; entire, or sometimes wavy-margined; thick and firm; very lustrous and dark green above, pale and often hairy beneath, turning bright scarlet, on the upper surface only, in autumn; petioles short.
FLOWERS.—May-June, with the leaves; polygamo-dioecious; greenish; borne on slender, downy peduncles; the staminate slender-pedicelled, in many-flowered heads; the pistillate sessile, in several-flowered clusters; calyx cup-shaped, 5-toothed; petals 5; stamens 5-10; stigma stout, terete, recurved.
FRUIT.—October; fleshy drupes, ovoid, blue-black, about 1/2 inch long, sour, in clusters of 1-3.
WINTER-BUDS.—1/8-1/4 inch long, ovoid, obtuse, dark red.
BARK.—Twigs greenish or light brown, smooth or often downy, becoming smooth, dark red-brown; thick, red-brown on old trunks, deeply furrowed.
WOOD.—Heavy, soft, strong, very tough, difficult to split, not durable in contact with the soil, pale yellow, with thick, whitish sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Frequent in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula. Has been reported as far north as Manistee.
HABITAT.—Prefers the borders of swamps and low, wet lands. Rarely flourishes in exposed situations.
NOTES.—Of great ornamental value. Not easily transplanted. Pith of twigs with thin, transverse partitions.