Leaf: Alternate, simple, pinnately veined, ovate to elliptical, entire, 3 to 6 inches long with 1 to 3 lobes. The 2-lobed leaf resembles a mitten, the 3-lobed leaf
resembles a trident.
Flower: Dioecious, green-yellow in color, borne in 2 inch racimes. Present March to April.
Fruit: Dark blue, ovoid, fleshy drupes that are borne on red stalks. Maturing August to September.
Twig: Slender, green and sometimes pubescent, with a spicy-sweet aroma when broken. Buds are 1/4 inch long and green.
Bark: Brown, with cinnamon-brown inner bark, becoming coarsely, ridged and furrowed. When cut the spicy aroma is obvious.
Form: Small to medium-sized tree with an irregular, usually flat-topped crown. Root suckering may result in thickets.
