Form: Shrub with a height from 3 to 10 ft. Multiple stems and a spreading appearance.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: opposite

Shape: narrow

Margin: finely serrate

Texture: glabrous

Venation:

Bark: The bark has a green color with an appearance of lenticels.

Twigs and buds: Twigs are green in color and slender with orangish-red buds.

Flowers and fruit: The fruit is red in the fall, which is very unique. The fruit is a four lobed capsules, that when opened, reveal red berries.

Distinguishing characteristics: A shrub red fruit, green bark, and opposite leaves.

Range: Reaches as far north as New Jersey and New York; South to Florida and west to Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

Silvics: This species is tolerant and found in mixed deciduous forest and low woodlands to swampy forests.

Ecological and cultural importance: Strawberry bush is browsed heavily by white-tailed deer.