Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Washington, east to Idaho and Montana; also occurring in central and northeastern North America.

Habitat: Dry waste ground, forest understory, and other disturbed sites.

Flowers: April-June

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Bumblebees, bees

Deciduous, upright shrub to 4 m. tall, the stems with 3-pointed spines at the nodes.

in whorls, obcordate to oblanceolate, with numerous fine, sharp teeth.

Inflorescence of bracteate, pendant racemes; perianth of 5 alternating whorls of 3 members each; outer 3 greenish-yellow, 2-3 mm. long (bracts); next 6 bright yellow, 6-8 mm. long (sepals); inner 6 bright yellow, slightly shorter, bi-lobed, oblong (petals); stamens 6, opposite the petals; style none, stigma sessile.

Berry scarlet, ellipsoid.