Small teeth on leaf margins are tipped with red glands. A pair of glands is evident on the petiole near the leaf base. Twigs are red-brown and waxy, often with thorns. Bark is grooved and scaly. Flowers are white and appear before leaves.
Fruit is a yellow-red drupe.
Intolerant 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.