Biological Category
Plants
Species Type
Shrub or woody bush
NY Legal Status
Prohibited
LHPrism Status
Tier 3 - Established
Key Characteristics
Leaf
Opposite, long oval leaves with a thick leathery feel and a smooth margin.
Stem
Bark is light gray and smooth. Branches extend straight out from the main stem.
Fruit
Fruit is a cluster of black berry-like drupes at the tip of branches
Vertical Tabs
Description
- Growth form: woody, perennial, semi-deciduous shrub growing up to 10 ft in height
- Leaf: elliptic or an oblong oval measuring 1-2 inches long and 1/3 inch wide. Tip of the leaf can be pointed or blunt. Upper surface is dark green while the lower surface is hairy
- Flower: unpleasantly scented and are borne in nodding panicles measuring 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches long at the tip of branches. Flowers begin appearing in June
- Fruit: are berry-like (drupes) that are black to blue-black with a whitish blush at the tip of branches. They are round or nearly round in shape and measure 1/4 inch in length. Fruits appear in September and persist on branches into winter
