When leaves are crushed they smell like green peppers. Light brown twigs have maroon hairs and buds are naked with velvety maroon hairs. Bark is brown-gray and smooth with warts.
Fruit is an edible, banana-like berry that some say tastes like custard when ripe.
Tolerant of shade. Click on photo to enlarge. All text and photographs are intended for educational purposes only and are not for commercial use in any form. 1999, all rights reserved. Photographs by Mike Hogan or Todd Langston.