This ornamental shrub is a monotypic genus with glossy black dry drupelets, large white flowers, opposite leaves and green to brown branches. It has escaped locally from plantings in the Louisville area (M), Bernhiem Forest and elsewhere (CW), and may gradually increase. In New England and N.Y. it is becoming a problem, and appears resistant to deer browsing (T. Rawinski, pers. comm.). The population at Bernheim has become largely eradicated in 2024, thanks to A. Berry and staff (pers.comm.).