A small tree that can grow 8' to 15' tall (sometimes 30' tall), but only 4' to 6' wide with a weeping form. Bark thin, smooth and light gray, may be come a bit scaly. Twig slender, stiff, initially purplish brown, velvety, but turning light gray and glabrous, buds very small and dark. Leaves alternate and serrate with rounded tips; less than 1" long. Flower dioecious; small greenish white, males numerous and in clusters, female solitary or in small clusters, appear in late spring. Fruit berry-like drupe, dark orange to red, 1/4 to 1/3 inch in diameter, ripen in late summer, persistent and usually numerous.

Depurative, diuretic, emetic, hallucinogen and laxative.

Used for treating constipation and water retention.

Consumption should be restricted in pregnancy and lactation, and in patients with hypertension and cardiac problems.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P:802-803, CRC Press July 2002.