Description

General - erect, much-branched shrub, up to 1 m tall; young twigs pale green to light red-brown; older bark grey-brown, shredding; readily produces suckers to form dense thickets.

Leaves - simple, opposite, oblong, 3 - 6 cm long, thick, grey-green, paler below; edges smooth, wavy-toothed or occasionally lobed.

Flowers - in small clusters at branch tips or in leaf axils; pinkish white, urn-shaped, 4-10 mm long, white-hairy inside; tamens usually protrude from flower; style hairy, 4-5 mm long; appearing late June to August.

Fruit - greenish white, berry-like drupes, 6-10 mm long, in dense clusters, turn purple in autumn, often last through inter, believed poisonous.

Habitat

Dry open woodland, river valleys, hillsides, ravines and over-grazed prairie; widespread across boreal region, north and west to southern N.W.T. and eastern B.C.

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