Distribution: Widely distributed on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington, though more common east of the crest; Alaska to California, east to the Great Plains, Great Lakes region, and northeastern North America.

Habitat: Moist soil, especially along streams, from low to middle elevations.

Flowers: May-July

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Beetles

Deciduous, many-stemmed shrub 2-6 m. tall, spreading by layering of decumbent or prostrate stems; younger branches bright reddish to reddish-purple, becoming grayish-green with age.

Leaves opposite, petiolate, the blades ovate to elliptic-ovate, acuminate, 4-12 cm. long, greenish on the upper surface and much paler below.

Flowers in flat-topped cymes, without showy bracts; sepals 4, very small; petals 4, white, 2-4 mm. long; stamens 4; style 1, 1-3 mm. long.

Drupe 7-9 mm. long, white to bluish, glabrous to pubescent.