A low, trailing ground cover of dry Oak and Pine forests. Small fruit provides wildlife food source. Persistent red berries are eaten by wildlife in winter. The berries are eaten by many species of birds. Prefers soils flooded or saturated for long periods or fluctuating hydrology.
Nutlets are food for ducks and other birds.
A medium sized shrub found in coastal and inland wetlands. Sweet smelling white flowers in July. Provides food and cover for birds. Tolerates drier sites. This species fixes nitrogen and will spread by sending out horizontal roots which send up new stems.