Low, diffusely branched, decumbent or prostrate shrubs, to 1(-3) m; lvs narrowly to broadly oblanceolate, varying to oblong, 4-10 cm, obtuse or acute, the margin firm
or cartilaginous, finely and remotely glandular-serrate, long-cuneate to acute at base, glabrous, often glaucous beneath; fls in clusters of 2-4, on pedicels 4-12 mm; sep glandular-serrulate; pet elliptic to round-obovate, 4-8 mm; fr nearly black, subglobose, 1-1.5 cm thick, edible; 2n=16. Four fairly well marked vars. may be recognized:
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.