General: Deciduous shrub or small tree, erect to straggling, 1-5 m tall; branches often twisted, smooth, reddish-grey to grayish-brown, with small, raised, horizontal slits (pores called lenticels).
Leaves: Alternate, oval, often widest above middle, 3-10 cm long, pointed at tip, rounded at base, with fine, sharp teeth on edges, stalks with 2 small, dark glands near base of blade..
Flowers: White, saucer-shaped, 6-12 mm across, with 5 broad petals, in flat-topped clusters (umbels) of 3-6 along branches; May to June..
Fruits: Shiny, bright red cherries (drupes) 5-8 mm across, in small, hanging clusters.
