A small to moderately-sized tree that is moderately tolerant and found on swampy sites in the southeastern coastal plain. Leaves are alternate, simple, persistent (evergreen), 2"-4", elliptical-lanceolate, entire. leathery, aromatic, bright green, lustrous, and sparsely pubescent below. Twigs are glabrous and dark green. Buds are naked and red-woolly. Fruit is a dark blue shiny drupe (1/2") borne on a red stalk. Bark is thin, dark red, furrowed and scaly.