Distribution: Along the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon; west side of the Cascades in Lane County, Oregon, south and west to the coastal ranges in California.

Habitat: Woodlands and chaparral, low to moderate elevations.

Flowers: January-May

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Evergreen shrub 1-3 m. tall, the young branches brownish-purple.

Leaves opposite, the lower surface yellow-green, the blades entire, elliptic-ovate to elliptic-oblong, 4-8 cm. long, the petioles 7-14 mm. long.

Plant dioecious; staminate flowers in 1-several axillary racemes, lax and drooping, unbranched, 3-9 cm. long; flowers in 3u00e2u20acu2122s in cup-like bracts, composed of 4 elongate sepals and 4 alternate stamens; pistillate flowers in similar racemes but the bracts densely silky, composed of an inferior ovary, 2 sepals, and 2 spreading styles.

Berry, purple, globose, 5-6 mm. thick.