Size: tree, 15-20' average height at maturity, 10-15' spread
Buds: winter buds have valvate scales, buds conical to ovoid bullet-shaped, scales often split open at top
Leaves: deciduous, opposite, 2-6" long, 1.5-3" wide, simple, elliptic or obovate, acute tips, margins coarsely crenate-serrate, shiny dark green, crushed leaves have fetid odor like green peppers mixed with burnt rubber
Twigs: tout, leaf scars connect around stem, grayish
Flowers: monoecious, creamy white, in 3-6" flat-topped clusters
Fruit: .33-.5" oval drupe, changing from red to black
Bark: usually gray
