The flatwoods plum is a shrub or small tree, usually occurring singly and not thicket-forming. Leaves Leaves are simple, alternate, and deciduous. Leaf bases are acute to wedge-shaped. Leaf margins are finely serrate. Leaf surfaces are dark green and glabrous or sparsely pubescent above, paler below with pubescent midrib and veins.
Petioles are slender and short.
The flowers are perfect, in many-flowered clusters. The flesh is bitter to the taste. The twigs are slender, sometimes with thorn tips. The pith is homogeneous. The bark is thin, smooth, red-brown or black, becoming roughened.