This shade loving understory tree remains subtle in the landscape for most of the year. In spring though, the long clusters of fragrant white flowers are very captivating, especially for a small tree which usually grows in shade. A GREAT choice for planting under black walnut trees!
The fruit is astringent and nutritious, and birds love it. Reportedly a historically important source of fruit for some Indigenous Americans, but according to Sam Thayer, this was probably more in the mid-west where the fruit tends to be black and sweet, not red and astringent.
The less than beautiful name comes from the toxicity of the leaves to ruminant animals (cows, deer etc.).
Growth Parameters:
Expect a small tree under 15 feet which can become more bushy via rooting stems in lighter soils. Not thicket forming. Generally found in the wild along the sides of hedgerows or in under-stories, but could certainly do fine in a full sun context.
