It is a deciduous shrub or small tree with many upright branches. It can be found growing naturally in the moist soils under coniferous forests or the sides of roads from Canada to the Rocky Mountains of Montana and also in California. It can reach heights of 6 to 28 m. Its bark is thinly fissured and gray. The leaves are oblong to ovate, and the margins are finely dentate.
Leaves are usually dark green.
It produces small, dark purple, rounded berries with ovate, black seeds. Generally, Cascara Sagrada is thought to influence the motility of the colon, inhibition of stationary and stimulation of propulsive contractions. It also stimulates active chloride secretions, increases water and electrolyte content, and stimulates peristalisis.