Thicket-forming shrub to 4 m (13 ft) tall. Twigs thin, loosely ascending, gray- or white-tomentose when young. Leaves broadly oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, tapering to base, sharp-pointed or acuminate, 2-9 cm (0.8-3.5 in) long and 1.5-6 cm (0.6-2.4 in) wide, dark green and glabrous above, pale green and tomentose below, serrate-margined. Inflorescence a cyme of 2-25 flowers. Flowers white or pinkish, about 1 cm (0.4 in) wide, blooming in Spring. Fruits red, about 6 mm (0.25 in) in diameter, ripening in Fall.
Distribution: Much of eastern U. S. westward to Missouri and east Texas.
Habitat: Floodplain forests, swamps.
NWI status: FACW
Comment:This species has been reported from southeastern Oklahoma. The Cleveland County specimen is probably an escape from cultivation. Many species of birds eat the fruits. The species name refers to a resemblance to Arbutus.
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
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Last update: 9/8/99
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