Form: This is a small evergreen tree reaching 40-50 ft. in height.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: alternate, simple

Shape: revolute

Margin: spinose teeth

Texture: leathery

Venation: N/A

Bark: It has thin grayish-white blotchy bark.

Twigs and buds: It's twigs are pubescent and slender when young.

Flowers and fruit: It produces a bright red berry-like drupe. The flowers are imperfect, solitary, and whitish green in color

Distinguishing characteristics: Look for the pyramidal shape, spinose margin on the thick evergreen leaves, and it's red drooping berries.

Range: Massachusetts south to central Florida, and west toward east Texas, throughout the Atlantic Coastal Plain

Silvics: Very tolerant; moist bottoms; low slopes

Ecological and cultural importance: Good ornamental; Songbirds, wild turkeys, mourning doves, and small mammals feed on the fruit. The wood has been used in veneer, and occasionally for lumber and pulpwood. When the wood is died black it can be used in ebony applications.