Shrub to 1 m (3 ft) tall. Leaves opposite, elliptic to suborbicular, 2-6 cm (0.8-2.4 in) long and 1-3.5 cm (0.4-2.4 in) wide, base cuneate to rounded, acute to obtuse at apex, usually entire. Flowers in spicate axillary clusters of several small greenish flowers. Fruits in axillary clusters of small pink to purple drupes. The species is rhizomatous and forms large colonies in forested areas.
Distribution: Native to eastern United States westward to Nebraska and Texas.
Habitat: upland and bottomland forests, sometimes in prairies.
NWI status: FACU
Comment: Coralberry is one of the most common plants in the forests of Oklahoma. Symphoricarpos is derived from a Greek phrase referring to the clusters of fruits; orbiculatus refers to the round leaves.
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
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Last update: 9/20/99
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