It grows to 2–5 m tall, with (unusually for a species in the Rosaceae)
opposite (not alternate)
leaves, simple ovate-acute, 3–6 cm long and 2–4 cm broad with a serrated margin. The
flowers are white, 3–4 cm diameter, and (also unusually) have
four (not five) petals; flowering is from late spring to mid-summer. The
fruit is a cluster of 1-4 shiny black drupes 5–8 mm diameter. It does not have a widely used English name, most commonly being known by its genus name
rhodotypos, also occasionally as
jetbead or
jet-bead. It is an
invasive species in some parts of eastern
North America. == Toxicity ==