A shrub found along stream bottoms and swamps in the northeastern U.S. that is capable of nitrogen fixation. Leaves are about 2" and toothed toward apex with resin dots on lower or both surfaces. Twigs are hairless, rusty, purplish or brownish with small whitish oval buds with preformed male catkins. Fruit comes in clusters of small drupes which are not wax-covered and ripen in July.