Size: shrub, 3-5' average height at maturity
Buds: 2-6 scales present, but most often 2-3, outer scales often loosely appressed, buds acute at apex, imbricate, .25-.375" long, dark brown or dark red
Leaves: deciduous, alternate, 1-3" long, .75-2" wide, simple, obovate, acuminate or obtuse, finely serrate, shiny dark green above with dark glands along midrib, light green below, often changing to wine-red in fall
Twigs: glabrous, slender
Flowers: perfect, similar to those of Aronia arbutifolia
Fruit: black or purple-black
