Usually shrubby, but up to 35' and found on extreme sites near the coast of the northeastern U.S. and capable of nitrogen fixation. Wax from the fruit is used to make candles. Leaves are similar to, but larger than M. gale and shallowly toothed toward the apex or entire with resin dots on the lower surface. Twigs are stout, hairy, and usually with minute resin dots. Fruit is clusters of small, gray, wax-covered drupes that ripen in June and persist through the next winter.