Small, round glands on petioles are often missing, even on young growth. Twigs are glabrous, slender, reddish, and shiny. Flowers are white and borne solitarily, or few flowers in a cluster. Fruit is a red drupe. Buds are usually not clustered at ends of twigs.
Terminal buds are larger and more pointed than the lateral buds.
Glands on petioles are always present. Leaves are medium green above and light green beneath. Flowers are white and bloom between May and June. Flowers are borne in a many-flowered raceme. Fruit is black and ripens in September or October.