Size: shrub, 8-12' average height at maturity, equal spread
Buds: winter buds have 2 pairs of overlapping scales, flower buds large and rounded, individual flower buds loosely covered with scales, vegetative buds smaller usually with 3 pairs of scales
Leaves: deciduous, opposite, 1.5-4" long, 1-2.75" wide, simple, obovate or oval, acute tip, margins serrate with triangular teeth, veins conspicuous on top and underside, dark green with purplish petioles, reddish purple in fall
Twigs: brown
Flowers: monoecious, pinkish red in bud, white tinged pink when open, in rounded panicles up to 2", flowers early
Fruit: red ripening to black
