FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Small, numerous thick leaves with scalloped edges along twigs with light gray bark. Plentiful flowers or fruits are on short stalks along branches.
Description: Medium evergreen shrub, usually 3 m but occasionally much taller, with small leaves, light gray bark, and red fruits.
Leaves: Small, elliptic leaves with scalloped or crenate margins. Leaves are quite thick and dark green.
Flowers/Fruit: Flowers are small and white, appearing March to May. Fruits are abundant, small, red, and spherical, located along the branches. Fruits September to November. Fruits often persist into winter.
Habit and Range: Found in the Coastal Plain, in sand rims of Carolina bays, pine wetlands, and maritime shrub thickets. Found in the drier edges of wetlands but also in sandy places. Has gained popularity as a landscape plant.
Taxonomic Note: Not native in the Piedmont, where it is rare.
