A common shrub or small bushy tree throughout the Appalachian region that does best on acid soils. Flowers are white to pink in large, showy, terminal clusters. Leaves are from 4" to 12", oblong, alternate, persistent, leathery, entire, and revolute. Twigs are stout and globrous with large imbricate flower buds. Fruit is an elongated, sticky capsule. Bark is thin and red-brown with thin scales.